Last week CTV News reported on a local business that had AC units on its roof raided for copper wire. It has happened again. This time a local non-profit that offers activities for youth has been targeted. “It’s been an incredibly exhausting thing to have to deal with,” said Nicki Coles, executive director of Youth For Christ (YFC). “As a small non-profit, we’re trying to make a difference in our community. We’re trying to serve our neighbourhood. We’re trying to serve the people of London. And unfortunately, things like this make it very challenging,” she said. It was early in the morning of Aug. 26. It’s believed someone accessed the roof using a utility ladder attached to the rear of the YFC building on Adelaide Street South. Two industrial air conditioning units had been stripped of their copper wire. The replacement cost for the two units has been estimated at between $50,000 and $75,000. “Obviously we have a deductible to pay, and our insurance rates will be impacted by this for years to come,” explained Coles. Volunteers at the centre are disheartened. “I was so frustrated and so mad when we came in here and found they had done that. It was really hot for all the people to work in here,” exclaimed long time supporter and volunteer Laura Potter. “It’s devastating for the kids, for the youth, that their organization that they love so dearly is disrespected,” added Ingrid Barnes, also a long time supporter and volunteer. Such incidents have become commonplace, according to HVAC expert Jeremy McGill. The residential manager at Air Design Services London says his company has dealt with as many as 15 such incidents this summer alone. “I’ve seen multiple rooftops in the same location totally stripped. So, you’ve got a condenser coil, evaporator coil altogether on a rooftop. And I’ve seen all the copper right to the compressor gone. So, the owners go up on the roof, and they find just a shell remaining,” explained McGill. Coles says the incident at YFC has been reported to police, however, she was advised little can be done about it. In the meantime, she says the non-profit is waiting to hear from its insurance company before deciding the next move. “Our community of donors, we’re going to rely on them, and hopefully the greater community of London who will see this as an opportunity to get involved and to give back,” Coles said.
