Copper theft is rising with new tariffs and price hikes—learn how Everon's remote video monitoring helps prevent copper theft and safeguard your commercial assets.
How New Copper Tariffs Might Drive Theft Across the U.S.
During the summer of 2025, the White House announced a 50% semi-finished copper import tariff that resulted in a 13% increase in the price of copper in just one day, making it the largest increase since 1968. The one-day price hike alarmed industries that depend on the import of semi-finished copper products, impacting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) manufacturers, the automotive industry, data centers, and more.
As the price of copper increases, rising thefts of the metal have been reported across the country. In Raleigh County, West Viriginia, deputies reported thefts in the area following the arrest of four individuals who were charged with the “theft and sale of thousands of pounds of stolen copper.” The copper, valued at approximately $20,000, was allegedly stolen from Frontier Communications. The Sheriff’s office told WV News that they would “continue to address the spike in metal thefts across the region.”
Similar reports of copper theft in Louisville, Kentucky, Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Sioux City, Iowa this year suggest a nationwide trend of copper thefts that may only increase with the newly implemented tariffs that began August 1, 2025.
Protecting Valuable Assets Amid a Crime Surge
Potential targets for copper thieves include dark buildings – unoccupied or vacant commercial buildings that can be stripped of copper from the electrical wiring in the walls – HVAC units usually located outside of buildings, as well as communications cables.
A Midwest-based healthcare provider for seniors experienced two copper theft incidents over the first half of 2025, despite having existing cameras on the outside of their building. The cameras were not actively monitored, thus failing to alert the customer and law enforcement to the incident as the theft was ongoing. The customer approached Everon for a remote video surveillance solution to help combat the thefts before another occurrence.
Proactive Copper Theft Prevention with Remote Video Monitoring
Our dedicated team of experts at Everon provided a remote video monitoring solution with an Everon operator watching the cameras to proactively report unauthorized activity and prevent copper theft. Everon collaborated closely with the customer to design a surveillance system that included additional cameras to supplement the existing ones the customer had, then quickly implemented the new cameras as well as speakers and lights in an effort to deter unwanted activity.
Other copper theft prevention tips include:
- Adding motion-activated lighting to exterior areas
- Securing HVAC units with protective cages
- Regularly inspecting vacant or dark buildings
- Using tamper-resistant copper wiring
Stopping Copper Theft Before It Happens
Before the installation of the remote video surveillance solution, the customer reported two separate incidents of copper theft this year. After the implementation of the solution that went live July 1, the customer has not reported any such incidents – demonstrating how the system has been a successful deterrent, allowing the client to focus on their critical day-to-day patient care and operations.
“Ultimately, prevention and proactive monitoring to protect copper assets within outdoor condenser units, vacant commercial buildings, copper utility cables used by communications and internet providers, and more, has become increasingly important as copper prices – and the trend of crimes of opportunity – go up,” said David Charney, Senior Vice President, Video Command Center for Everon.
Help Protect Your Business from Copper Theft with Everon
Contact us today to learn how our proactive video monitoring and copper theft prevention solutions can safeguard your critical assets and help protect your business from costly losses. Learn more about Everon's comprehensive video solutions geared toward the overall security of your commercial facility here.