AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Runway Cables & Lights Stolen at San Pedro Airport

Thieves got away with unearthing over 1,000 feet of electrical cable off the runway lights and stealing it, as was discovered on Monday, January 16, 2012, After attempts were made to turn on the lights it was discovered that thieves had gotten away with all the cables along the San Pedro runway.

The Belize Airport Authority was immediately notified that over 1,200 feet of cable was unearthed from the runway, some lights were broken and some were missing. The entire lighting system had to be replaced at a cost of $3,200.00. The lights are in working order and hopefully not tampered with again. The Authority will look into investing on security personnel or surveillance cameras for the airstrip in the future.

A kind reminder to the public that walking across the runway is an offence and those caught can be fined up to $500 or be imprisoned for six months.

Click here for the whole story and photos in the Ambergris Today

Wow - this reminds me of what's happening all over the country. People are steeling copper, where ever they find it. Or for that matter, many types of metal. Sad, very sad.

Stealing copper and other metals is certainly not unique to Belize.

Tropic Air crews work all night at the hangar doing maintenance. Someone must have seen something going on.

Too bad they didn't make the town clock out of copper:)

The John Grief II Airport in San Pedro Town has been vandalized by thieves. According to the Belize Airport Authority, a little over 1,200 feet of electrical cable was unearthed from the runway lights and stolen by thieves. It is uncertain when the incident occurred but was noticed on January 16th. The BAA explained that immediately upon learning of the incident, technicians were dispatched to San Pedro Town to evaluate the incident and conducted repairs on the damaged wires.

In speaking to The San Pedro Sun, Kenworth Tillett, General Manager of the BAA, explained that thieves targeted the wires for its value. "The thieves removed the wires for the value of the copper," explained Tillett. It's an incident that has happened in the past said Tillett but BAA had managed to bring the issue under control. Currently the airfield has been undergoing major renovations, which includes the construction of a fence to prevent trespassing on the airfield.

The recent incident is one that BAA says in unacceptable and those involved should be punished because the safety of others is put in jeopardy. "The people removing the wires need to know that the safety of others is involved, especially when people need to be evacuated during the night from the island," said Tillett. He explained that the lights on the runway guide pilots especially during late flights or in extreme weather conditions. "The replacement of wires on the runway cost the BAA several thousand dollars", said Tillett.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the story in the San Pedro Sun

They sell the copper right at the 'recycling' compnay on the Western Hywy and it goes to Guatemala for sale. Big problem and $ loss for both btl and bel.

!

This is shameless.......We are acutely aware of the financial hardships of some people and know that many of these crimes are of opportunity and desperation.....However, this particular crime could cost lives.....Very sad indeed........

http://www.coinflation.com/coins/basemetal_calc.php
Am I reading this correct?
Only in the US :-)

oops, looks like that link isn't friendly.
what it was saying is a penny in the US is worth more than a cent of copper!