Some Mobile Schools Face Air Conditioning Problems

By Steve Alexander Reporter

Copper thieves hit two more schools this past weekend. Some Mobile Schools Face Air Conditioning Problems

Published: Mon, August 04, 2008 - 8:39 pm Last Updated: Mon, August 04, 2008 - 8:52 pm

Steve Alexander

Two more schools in Mobile County were hit over the weekend by copper thieves.
That brings the total to eight this summer.
The thieves are targeting air conditioners.
Tommy Sheffield, facilities manager for the Mobile County Public School System, said, "It seems like every Monday for the last six Mondays we've come in and the first call we make is, 'Where did we get hit this weekend?' "
This time, thieves hit Whitley Elementary School and Mae Eanes Middle School.
Sheffield said, "They're getting the copper and the aluminum out of the air handling units, package units that are up on the roof."
School officials say because it takes two to ten weeks just to get the new systems delivered, some schools will open next Monday with the air conditioning not working in parts of the buildings.
Officials say four to six classrooms at Eanes will likely be without air as will the dining area in Whitley.
Sheffield said to ease the temperature problems, "everybody just leaves the door open, (and) the air will filter through the building. It will not be as cool as you probably like it, but it will be cooler."
And the thefts can get expensive.
Sheffield said, "They may get ten dollars worth of copper and tear up a ten thousand dollar machine. We're probably well over a half million dollars in damages."
What about installing security systems?
Sheffield said, "Camera systems are very expensive and we've got them at Vigor (High School) where they disabled the cameras before they stole the units."
Sheffield is asking people who live near schools to watch for suspicious people on campus and call police if they see something unusual.
The other schools hit besides Vigor, are Booker T. Washington Middle School, Robbins Elementary School and Faulkner Vocational School.