The Sun report on the thefts of copper downspouts and gutters in the region suggested one cause of such crimes was "unscrupulous scrap dealers" who buy the materials ("Stolen copper gutters latest trend in gutter thefts," Dec. 4)
The story goes on to report various things scrap dealers have agreed to do to try to limit the occurrence of this and how the thieves cut and bang up gutters to make them look like ones that were thrown away.
I have had the pleasure to get to know several scrap yard owners in the area both personally and professionally, and they are the most scrupulous people I know.
They are hard-working, charitable and perform a very valuable service by giving the community a place to bring junk cars, appliances and other things that might otherwise end up on the streets of Baltimore.
The Sun should be careful not to broad brush an entire industry with the misdeeds of a few petty thieves.
Erik Moran, Towson