America is facing an epidemic of copper thefts.  Pipes, wiring and objects of art are being stolen, sold and recycled to meet strong global industrial demand.  Private homes, businesses, schools and even churches have fallen prey to copper thieves across the country as the crime wave continues unabated.  

The Kansas City Star reports: 

This weekend a Kansas City police radio tower was the target of thieves who made off with an estimated $12,000 worth of wiring and other metal items.

The theft in the 6800 block of Booth Avenue in the south-central part of the city was discovered Saturday morning.  An officer checking the tower site discovered that a chain used to secure the gate had been cut and the gate was open.

Police discovered that a "large amount" of wiring and other items were missing.

Resourceful Earth News tells us that copper prices have risen due to a sharp increase in demand from China and India for use in the manufacturing of green energy components like solar panels combined with onerous mining regulations.

...strict environmental regulations and permitting requirements have helped to freeze the supply of copper in place, notably in the United States which is the 4th largest global producer of copper. In the United States alone environmental activists have helped to shutter mining projects in Montana, in Arizona, and Alaska.

Command and control Obamanomics at its prime.