Crackdown on scrap metal theft passes Michigan House, Senate OK expected

[alp227]

Source: Detroit Free Press

LANSING — Scrap metal thieves will have a harder time selling stolen property to scrap yards now that a compromise bill easily passed the state House today.

“This is the first step toward reducing blight in my community,” said state Rep. David Nathan, D-Detroit. “I’d like to put those copper thieves on notice right now that we’re hot on their trail.”

The main sticking point between the state House and Senate over the legislation was a three-day waiting period — approved by the House, but removed by the Senate — that scrappers would have to sit out before receiving payment for the three items most often reported stolen: copper wire, catalytic converters and air conditioning units.

The two sides got around the issue by requiring that payment for any of those items worth more than $25 would have to be mailed to the person selling the materials at an established address, not just a post office box. The legislation also will allow for the creation of a database of all people selling materials to scrap yards, but it’s not certain yet who would pay for it or maintain it.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20140319/NEWS06/303190171/Crackdown-scrap-metal-theft-passes-Michigan-House-Senate-OK-expected

[7962]

1. Good. Those thieves have been ruining AC units in my area for years. Like to see that law here.

[onehandle]

2. We had some 'copper' posts from path lights stolen from our driveway once.

They left the lights, only took the 'copper' posts.

Yes 'copper.' They were painted copper. The scrap yard was likely not amused.

I replaced the shafts with black posts.

[Earth_First]

3. While this doesn't really address the economic reasons behind scrapping

being a necessary means of financial support, I'm behind doing something...

...however in some cases mailing payment is greatly punitive to those finding themselves in this situation.

In some cases where collecting may be a means of financial support, an address may very well be the vehicle they drove in with.

This needs work.

[pipoman]

4. Scrapping is one thing. .

theft isn't a "necessary means of financial support". .

[nobodyspecial]

6. This is to combat THEFT, not scrapping

They steal things from people and business. I had my gutter ripped off my garage.

[pipoman]

5. The problem sometimes is the scrap yard

is operated by people who encourage theft by not caring where that load of copper came from. .there is a good incentive not to care...30 minutes after it comes in it is no longer identifiable. Even a case locally where the operator was actively stealing.