Church air conditioning units gutted by copper thieves: "Salem Bible Church in Northwest Atlanta was hit weeks ago by copper thieves, but still they are still fighting to stay cool."

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 Church air conditioning units gutted by copper thieves: "Salem Bible Church in Northwest Atlanta was hit weeks ago by copper thieves, but still they are still fighting to stay cool."

Church air conditioning units gutted by copper thieves

Posted: Jun 13, 2011 5:01 PM EDT Updated: Jun 19, 2011 4:15 PM EDT

Submitted by Mike Paluska - email

ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) - Salem Bible Church in Northwest Atlanta was hit weeks ago by copper thieves, and they are still fighting to stay cool.
The church is renting two giant portable A/C units.  The units have air ducts running from outside into what used to be entryways into the church. The units were working hard to keep the temperatures down in the church for Sunday service.
With Georgia's oppressive heat staying steady in the mid to upper 90's, church officials say it's been a challenge keep parishioners cool.
The damage is estimated at more than $200,000.
In the past 24 hours, CBS Atlanta News has also learned another Salem Bible Church in Lithonia was hit by copper thieves.  Church officials are still trying to determine how much that will cost.
"You call it bad luck, I don't call it bad luck," said Pastor Jasper Williams.  "It's just part of life.  "We've had to make do.  You know, we make out, you either whine, complain and fall out;  Or, you get up and do it all over again, and I just opt to get up and do it again."
Williams brought in two portable A/C units to cool the church.   The president of Fleet Service America, Art  Benz, said it costs roughly a thousand dollars a day to fill the tanks with 200 gallons of diesel.
"It's not cheap, said Benz.
Benz said he is seeing more and more portable A/C units because of copper thefts.
"A lot of theft, a lot theft in copper," Benz said.  "Every time you turn around people are breaking into buildings."
Williams said his church has been hit before, but nothing like this.
"They took the copper out of all of the units," said Williams.  "But, we are fine.  We will do just fine."
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