Preservationists often talk about the value of older buildings – their ability to convey a sense of place and a connection to the past, their link to economic development, and also their quality of construction. And, to be sure, the cost of actually finding original building materials means that such structures can simply not be replicated.

There’s a down side to this value, however, particularly in a market where the prices of certain commodities are going literally “through the roof.” With recent increases in the prices of some materials, including copper, bronze and aluminum, the result has been a corresponding rise in the level of thefts nationwide. According to this article in the most recent edition of US News & World Report, communities are combating rampant theft with measures such as scrap dealer registration, alert systems, and heftier fines and penalties.

This week, the epidemic hit in Elyria, where vandals took a substantial amount of copper, among other damage, at an unused historic train station. With total damage of some $70,000, law enforcement officials have decided to respond with increased video surveillance and increased lighting. In Cleveland Heights, law enforcement recently broke a copper theft ring that actually used foreclosure lists to pinpoint potential victims.

The Ohio Senate is now taking a look at legislation aimed at curbing the increasing problem, however some local officials say that the measure not only does not go far enough, but it also preempts their own prevention efforts.

Anyway you look at it, its an excellent time to “batten down the hatches” and maintain a vigilant watch over your historic building’s historic building elements.

Photo: Copper Dome, Clark County Courthouse, Springfield -- Cindy Funk/Creative Commons License