Thieves are targeting the brass used in fire department connectors. The Philadelphia Fire Department noticed a big surge in the thefts about 6 weeks ago. They've circulated an internal memo alerting firefighters to the problem. It's not just the crime. Fire officials say it's a serious safety issue for home and business owners.
Deputy Commissioner Craig Murphy told us, "Anywhere you see these fire department connections, if it's brass, they're ending up taking them. Brass is worth a lot of money on the open market. And they know they can sell them, but what it's doing is putting our firefighters, and just as importantly it's putting the community at risk."
Murphy explained that the firefighters attach their hoses to the connectors to pump water into internal sprinkler systems and extinguish flames more quickly. The brass connector lasts longer in the elements, but the metal is valuable and likely sold for scrap. Northern Liberties resident, Matt Dunphy, recently noticed his brass connector was gone.