POLICE BEAT
Copper theft leaves Campbell High football in dark
By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Staff Writer
Copper thieves have struck again — this time leaving high school football players in the dark after stripping Campbell High's field lights of wiring.
A preseason varsity game between Campbell and Roosevelt had to be canceled Friday night after the eight lights on the 'Ewa Beach campus field would not come on.
School officials say the thieves had to have struck within the past week, as the lights were tested about a week ago.
Campbell athletic director Sam Delos Reyes said the cancellation was a blow to parents and athletes. "They were really disappointed," he said. "Their spirits were taken away."
Campbell football coach Tumoana Kenessey said the Sabers were suiting up and getting ready to take the field against the Rough Riders when he was told the lights were dead.
"I don't know the impact as far as the rest of the season," Kenessey said.
Delos Reyes said the repair bill will probably be in the thousands of dollars, though he did not have an exact figure. He said he hopes the lights are back in service by Sept. 7, when Campbell is scheduled to play its first home game of the season.
Copper theft has been a growing problem in the Islands, with criminals stealing wiring from street and freeway lights, churches and schools.
Police say the copper is being recycled for cash.
On the freeways alone, the state has spent about $300,000 to replace copper wiring stolen from overhead lights, and experts say that figure will likely balloon to as much as $1 million as more wiring is replaced.
Meanwhile, the price of copper continues to rise.
Recyclers are paying $2.30 to $3 a pound for the metal, authorities say.
Police and lawmakers have tried to crack down on the problem. This year, the Legislature toughened the penalty for stealing a pound or more of copper, making it punishable by up to five years in prison. And police have arrested dozens of copper thieves and broken up one big ring in Honolulu.
Still, copper thieves strike — and some are getting more brazen, stealing from cemeteries, government buildings, businesses and construction sites.
At Campbell High, thieves damaged three lights. But the wires they cut left all eight lights without power.
Delos Reyes said one of the lights was stripped of all its copper, while the power boxes on two of the lights were damaged.
School officials, concerned that the thieves might come back for the rest of the wire, have increased security. The school already had night security guards.
No arrests have been made in the case, police said yesterday.
Copper thieves have never hit Campbell High before, and authorities say this could be the first time thieves have targeted the large, expensive lights installed at many high school athletic fields.
Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.
