Brass thieves wreck Prospect Park water fountains

Nine brass basins from water fountains in Prospect Park were stolen earlier in the month, leaving metal dishes behind. Replacement is expected to cost nearly $100,000, with each fountain requiring about $11,000 to replace using stainless steel basins. The thefts occurred in multiple, widely separated areas, including Long Meadow near baseball fields, near the boathouse, and by the Parade Grounds. Some fountains were left out of service while pipes still released water. Workers from the Prospect Park Alliance discovered the theft on May 8. Brass theft is driven by scrap value, with rising brass prices increasing incentives for stealing despite security and cameras.

"The basins of nine brass water fountains in Prospect Park were stolen earlier this month, costing the parks department nearly $100,000 in replacement parts and repairs just as temperatures rise for summer. Parks department officials said that each fountain will cost $11,000 to replace with entirely new fountains with stainless steel basins, instead of brass. It wasn't clear when the fountains will be repaired, though parks officials said the work would be done as soon as possible."

"The thief or thieves struck in sections of the park that are relatively far apart. Basins were swiped from two water fountains near baseball fields in the park's Long Meadow. All that was left were the metal dishes that hold the basins. Another out of service fountain was near the boathouse. Two others were by the Parade Grounds, their pipes still sputtering water for anyone thirsty enough to take a sketchy sip."

"Workers with the Prospect Park Alliance discovered the theft on May 8. There are 52 fountains in the park. Students Dave Green and Sam Klein were playing catch near one of the busted ballfield fountains. "It's really a shame that people have to vandalize the park," Green, 21, said. "It's such a nice place. Everyone should be able to enjoy it equally, and it's unfair that people should just damage the water fountains.""

"Brass theft, including from city parks, is not a new phenomenon. Brass scrap fetches a higher price per pound than steel. It's not clear how much the basins in the park weigh. Timothy Fulton, who owns T&T Scrap in East Williamsburg, said the price of brass has been rising for the past five months. Still, he was surprised at the heist, which he saw as high risk given the potential payout."

Read at Gothamist