Copper theft of light poles at Tulsa’s Alsuma Park has left the local youth soccer club Blitz Academy FC at least $10,000 lighter, with no culprit held accountable yet.
While games are played at other parks, practice access is all but limited to the park at 51st and Mingo, according to Coach Michael Umelo.
“Some of the kids were running towards us (saying), ‘The fields are dark,'” Umelo told 2 News, referring to Nov. 17. “Then we started inquiring what was happening, and we were informed that some of our electric bars were cut off.”
Copper is a precious metal with a hot black market. Coach Umelo said copper wires were stolen from every single light pole at Alsuma Park over both nights of Nov. 10th and 11th, literally cutting short practice for all teams.
Blitz Academy FC “We got like five minutes (practice time) on Tuesday,” Blitz under-13 goalkeeper Brylee Barnes said. “Because the lights were cut out we couldn’t play or practice.”
“We’ve had to put 10-ft. conduits in (each pole), and it’s metal. So it should deter someone,” Brylee’s mom, Courtney Barnes said. Barnes is team manager for her daughter’s squad, and said the club had to pay for the damage in more than just a loss on the field.