Windsor Council Moves to Combat Rising Copper Theft Issues

Windsor City Council is considering new legislation aimed at addressing the growing problem of copper thefts. This initiative comes in response to mounting frustrations from property owners and business operators who have suffered significant losses due to these crimes. The proposed bylaw would prohibit cash payments for copper at scrap yards and require the reporting of specific stolen items to local police.

Jeff Keyeux, owner of Keyeaux Electrix Inc., has firsthand experience with the dangers posed by copper theft. He recounts repairing damage caused by thieves who were willing to cut live wires for a small profit. “The risk that they’re putting themselves through for $50 is ridiculous,” Keyeux stated, highlighting the severe hazards associated with such acts.

The issue of copper theft has been persistent in Windsor, with property owners, particularly in the business sector, feeling the impact. The city council is now urging staff to draft a bylaw that mirrors similar efforts made by Brantford, which implemented changes two years ago to address the same concerns. According to Brantford’s Director of Bylaw Compliance and Security, Dave Wiedrick, the city’s modifications have improved communication among stakeholders, including city officials, scrap yard owners, and law enforcement. “Doing nothing wasn’t acceptable,” Wiedrick emphasized.

Research from Brantford indicates that thieves often travel to municipalities without strict regulations, where cash transactions for scrap metal remain permissible. This spurred the Brantford council to advocate for a provincial ban on cash sales, similar to the one implemented in Alberta. “So you couldn’t jump borders from one municipality to another,” Wiedrick noted, suggesting that a coordinated provincial approach could significantly reduce thefts.

“If they can get that data, then they can monitor this type of crime and they can do something about it,”

said Anna Riley, a local furniture store owner whose business has been targeted twice in five months. Her store suffered over $100,000 in damages in September when thieves stole copper from air conditioning units. More recently, she discovered that power had been cut to her building after wires were ripped from the side in another theft attempt. “This is, like, insane,” she remarked as utility workers arrived to restore power.

Riley expressed support for Windsor’s proposed measures, believing that increased reporting requirements could help law enforcement effectively address the issue. Currently, scrap yards are mandated to request identification from sellers, but the proposed bylaw would further enhance oversight by banning cash payments and mandating the reporting of high-risk items.

The city of Brantford has also been proactive in advocating for broader legislative changes. Local leaders have encouraged businesses to contact both federal and provincial representatives to seek a “province-wide statute” along with a modernized bail system that could close existing loopholes.

Windsor’s council is set to vote on the proposed bylaw during an upcoming meeting, and stakeholders remain hopeful that these efforts will lead to meaningful progress in combating copper thefts. The city’s initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for coordinated action to protect communities from the risks and costs associated with these crimes.