Metal Thieves Hit Fort Worth ISD Again

For the second time in three weeks, metal thieves have caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage to a Fort Worth ISD high school. Along with churches, businesses and private citizens, the school District is suffering the consequences of the metal theft plague.

Over the July 4th weekend, a three-day holiday for the District, copper and aluminum were stolen from a total of fourteen air conditioning units serving three of South Hills High School five classroom buildings. Summer school students have been relocated to other classrooms where the AC is still functioning. A more immediate concern is the District-wide TAKS testing scheduled at South Hills for next week. School leadership is re-assessing location options for that testing.

The damage to South Hills HS centers on the condensing units but at least one larger rooftop unit AC was also damaged. The South Hills loss is estimated to be just under $23,000. In mid-June, metal thieves caused at least $132,000 in damage to rooftop AC units at Polytechnic High School.

Immediately after the theft at Polytechnic HS the FWISD joined with Crimestoppers to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. That reward is still available.

“This is not just a theft of metal we are dealing with,” said Superintendent Melody Johnson. “This is a theft of children’s future. The community has a right to be outraged.”

Security video indicates that observation cameras were pointed downward by someone on the school roof at approximately 2:49 a.m. on Monday July 7th. Anyone with information about activity in the area of South Hills High School at that time can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers at 817-469-TIPS.

>> Read the Star-Telegram editorial

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