By Chelsea Phua
cphua@sacbee.com
Sacramento City Unified School District officials are asking residents living near schools to help keep the campuses safe over the Labor Day weekend, after a series of copper thefts happened at district schools in recent months.
The latest hit occurred early this morning at Will C. Wood Middle School. Thieves tried to steal copper materials but left before they completed the deed, said police Sgt. Vince Matranga.
Earlier this week, thieves took 150 feet of copper cable - worth $1,000 - from Sutterville Elementary School. Staff at Sutterville Elementary School arrived at work on Wednesday to find that the thieves left them without electricity in the front office.
The method used to steal the cable was similar to that used to steal wiring from John Still Middle School earlier in the summer, officials said.
The first day of school begins after this holiday weekend, on Tuesday.
"Most of our schools are surrounded by houses, and we need the residents of those houses to join us in protecting these community centers," Matranga said.
To report suspicious behavior on a school campus in the city limits, call (916) 264-5471. Residents outside city boundaries should call the county sheriff's department at (916) 874-5115. School district police can be reached at (916) 643-7444.
Call The Bee's Chelsea Phua (916) 321-1132.









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