EoW May 2012

27 / 108

Transatlantic cable
Fed up with thefts of metal for resale
as scrap, Floridians mean to
make things harder for the receiver
Lawmakers in Florida may soon give state and local authorities a
new weapon with which to combat surging metal theft, notably
of copper wire from dismantled air conditioners but also of metal
from manhole covers, stop signs, and interstate guardrails – even
park benches, railroad ties, and chain-link fence. As reported
by the Tampa Bay Times, legislation awaiting Gov Rick Scott’s
signature would make it harder for thieves to sell stolen metals
to recyclers. The bill calls for state-wide standards and a database
of information on metal sales. It also increases penalties for metal
theft and establishes a list of metals that may not be resold
without proof of ownership. Recyclers would be required to
obtain information about the seller as well as the metal, to be
shared with law enforcement agencies.
“We think this is what we need to stop this crime,” the Times
was told by Keyna Cory, a coordinator for Floridians for Copper
and Metal Crime Prevention, which supported the legislation.
(“Florida Targets Metal Thieves,” 26th March).
As reported by the Times’s Danny Valentine: For metal thieves in
Florida, targets are everywhere. They’ve hit homes, businesses,
churches, construction sites, utilities, telephone companies
and storage lots. They’ve ripped out copper wiring, dismantled
air conditioning units and illegally scrapped manhole covers,
stop signs, interstate guardrails, park benches, railroad ties and
chain-link fences. Now authorities hope they will get a new
weapon in the battle against the surging thefts.
Two bills awaiting Gov Rick Scott’s signature would make it
harder for people to sell stolen metals to recyclers, stopping a
crime that can mean huge losses for property owners, advocates
say. “It’s just hurt too many people – both in the pocketbook
and with their loved ones,” said Keyna Cory, a coordinator
for Floridians for Copper and Metal Crime Prevention, which
supported the legislation. “We think this is what we need to stop
this crime. The primary bill (HB 885/SB 540) creates statewide
standards and a database for recording information about metal
sales. It also increases penalties for metal theft and establishes
a list of metals that can’t be resold without proof of ownership.
“Why steal it if I can’t sell it someplace?” asked Cory.
The legislation would require that metal recyclers take down
sellers’ information as well as information about the metal,
such as a serial number. That information would be entered
into databases shared by law enforcement. The bill (HB 885/
SB 540) would stipulate a list of 20 items – among them funeral
markers, storm grates, and beer kegs – that cannot be sold for
scrap unless the seller can prove ownership or authority to sell it.
Payment must be by cheque; no cash shall change hands.
The new law would make these requirements uniform
across the state, superseding the existing patchwork of
county-level regulations. And it has teeth. The charge for metal
recyclers who fail to keep proper paperwork would go from a
misdemeanour to a third-degree felony. That would be upped
to a second-degree felony for third violations. Someone stealing
metal from an electrical substation would face a rst-degree
felony charge.
Dorothy Fabian – USA Editor
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