In the summer of 2025, the White House's decision to impose a 50% tariff on semi-finished copper imports triggered a 13% spike in copper prices within a single day.
This impressive increase, the largest since 1968, sent ripples across industries reliant on semi-finished copper, such as HVAC, automotive, and data centres.
Rising copper theft amid increased tariffs
With copper prices climbing, reports of copper theft have surged nationwide. In Raleigh County, West Virginia, authorities apprehended four individuals accused of stealing and selling thousands of pounds of copper, valued at around $20,000, from Frontier Communications. The Raleigh County Sheriff's office has pledged ongoing efforts to combat this rising trend of metal thefts across the region.
Similar incidents in Louisville, Kentucky; Saint Paul, Minnesota; and Sioux City, Iowa, this year suggest that copper thefts are on the rise, potentially fuelled by the new tariffs implemented from August 1, 2025.
Vulnerable assets and preventive measures
Copper thieves are targeting various areas, including vacant buildings stripped of copper wiring, external HVAC units
Copper thieves are targeting various areas, including vacant buildings stripped of copper wiring, external HVAC units, and communication cables. A Midwest healthcare provider experienced two copper theft incidents in early 2025 despite having camera surveillance, which was not actively monitored at the time.
After these incidents, they turned to Everon for a remote video surveillance solution aimed at preventing further thefts.
The proactive approach demonstrated by Everon's team, providing remote video monitoring with live surveillance by Everon operators, helped in identifying and preventing unauthorised activities. Additional cameras, lights, and speakers were installed to bolster security and deter potential thieves.
Success in copper theft reduction through active monitoring
Since the installation of Everon's surveillance system on July 1, the healthcare provider reported no further copper theft incidents, marking the system's effectiveness in deterring theft and allowing the provider to concentrate on patient care and operations.
David Charney, Senior Vice President of the Video Command Center for Everon, emphasised the importance of proactive monitoring, stating, "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."
Additional measures to prevent copper thefts include implementing motion-activated lighting, securing HVAC units with protective cages, regular inspection of vacant buildings, and using tamper-resistant copper wiring.
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.
Newly implemented tariffs
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.
