Which you can also resell. You could even scrap the ovens for money and water heaters. There is far more motivation to wreck it than upkeep it. All those houses are goin doooown.
Brick can be recycled but I see what you are saying. And hearing that people are getting killed pulling live wires... That would definitely imply that copper is epic loot in Detroit right now.
The purchase of homes in Detroit is NOT to sell or repurpose ANYTHING.
I work downtown, and drive through these neighborhoods every single day to avoid traffic (thanks Google!).