Putting the Crimp on Metal Theft
SafeCity Supports Legislation to Help Decrease Growing Problem

A daycare center, a school specializing in speech and hearing, a family-owned restaurant  … these are just a few examples of the growing list of businesses who have become victims of one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation and our own communities – the crime of metal theft, specifically copper theft.   

SafeCity has decided to lend support to legislation that will help put a stop to metal theft because it is a crime that affects community safety on so many different levels. 

“It is a drug-related crime in that a guy will go out and steal copper or a catalytic converter to make a quick buck to go buy crack or meth,” states Leonard Bentz, Southern District Public Service Commissioner and leader of a coalition to tighten up regulations on the purchase of metals.  “It’s also a crime that affects economic development because metal thieves go after businesses, schools or churches because they have multiple or large AC units – large enough to make it worth their while to strip it down.  It’s hard work to get at this copper.”  

The metals are often sold at pawn shops or recycling businesses, store fronts that are often located close to neighborhoods or neighborhood shopping centers, making communities already struggling to survive even more vulnerable to crime and decay.   

The proposed legislation will require scrap metal dealers to keep a registry of each purchase transaction that will include names, addresses and identifying information of the seller.  Additionally, no cash transactions will be allowed, but rather checks will be sent through the mail to the seller at the address provided.   

<<< Return to Homepage