A copper thief doesn't steal copper, he steals a person's sense of control, of self-worth, of vunerability. Come home and the copper-thieves have fed on the house down the street - or next door - and a man worries that he will be next. He worries for his wife, his life. He buys a gun and prays not to use it.

and then he does.


A copper-thief steals a man's hope. That's worth much more than money, because a city is built on hope. Hope is tomorrow. You steal a city's tomorrows and few friends will show up at your funeral.