Tighter security measures weighed by County Health due to damage to A/C units

By Buck Collier, Special Correspondent
Posted 11/2/22

HERMANN — Tighter security measures are being considered for the Gasconade County Health Department location in Owensville after thieves stole several air-conditioning units near its cooling …

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Tighter security measures weighed by County Health due to damage to A/C units

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HERMANN — Tighter security measures are being considered for the Gasconade County Health Department location in Owensville after thieves stole several air-conditioning units near its cooling equipment, the latest incident in what appears to be heightened burglary and theft activity in the community, according to a health agency official.

Department Administrator Kenna Fricke Monday morning told the agency’s Board of Trustees that thieves recently took the working parts of several air-conditioning units near the unit of the department’s Owensville office at 305 North First. That, and plans to bring additional equipment into the offices, is prodding agency officials to consider installing increased security measures.

“Unfortunately, that’s something that’s going on in Owensville right now,” Fricke said of the incidents taking place in the community.

Those targeting the air-conditioning units didn’t gain entry to the building, preferring to focus on taking the materials within the housing of the A/C units, she told the board.

Fricke said the incident is causing her to reconsider placing a new generator outside the office. Indeed, the board might wish to consider if the agency needs to look for another location, noting that there are two years left on the department’s lease on its current space. At the least, she said, she will consider installing “more-secure locks to get in and out of our building.”

Between July 19 and Oct. 12, police received two separate reports of theft and property damage to property in the strip mall in the 300 block of Owensville’s North First Street. The first report involved damage to an outside air conditioner unit where all the copper wiring had been removed.

The second report was when copper wiring was removed from all four units.

City Marshal Robert Rickerd said it was unknown if these incidents are connected with the reported thefts of wiring and copper from a city-owned AC unit behind the former communications building.

“(We’re) not sure at this time, we’re just going to keep looking into the possible leads we are gathering,” said Rickerd when asked if these incidents at separate locations were related. “(An) investigation is ongoing.”