Copper Thefts Continue to Plague States
Fueled by rising demand from China and India, copper prices have increased approximately five-fold since 2004. Copper content can fetch between $3 and $4 a pound, which is enough to entice thieves to steal copper in every possible form — air conditioning units, telephone lines, railroad signaling wire, beer kegs, manhole covers, bleachers, guard rails, signs and traffic lights.
Home builders have been especially hard hit. Thieves break into an unoccupied house to steal hundreds of dollars of copper parts, and leave behind thousands of dollars of damage. Builders have resorted to hiring security detail to avoid these costly thefts.
At least 26 states have attempted to address metal theft by passing laws that enforce stricter penalties for stealing copper as well as tightening the record keeping requirements of scrap yards.
Florida and Missouri have been the latest states to act on the issue.
Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt (R) signed into law MO Senate Bill 1034. Under the new law, dealers will need to get a copy of photo identification for people who are not regular business customers but are selling more than $50 worth of copper, brass, bronze or aluminum. They would need to keep those records for two years in case law enforcement wants to inspect them.
The Missouri Information and Analysis Center (MIAC) developed a state-wide database on metal theft to share with law enforcement. As of late April, MIAC reported 240 metal thefts for more than $1 million in losses to Missourians
A bill waiting to be signed by Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R) would require scrap-metal dealers to name or describe the person who sold them the metal. They also would be required to get telephone numbers and addresses and verify personal identification cards. A thumbprint of the seller would be required, and the scrap-metal dealers must install a camera or videotape to document their transactions.
Despite crackdowns on copper theives, some states continue to struggle with the problem. Areas within a short drive of neighboring states without anti-theft laws have thieves that take their stolen goods out of state for cash.
Is federal legislation the solution?
A discussion draft bill is currently circulating on Capitol Hill. It requires transactions between sellers of copper and secondary metal recyclers to be documented and for penalties to be assessed for noncompliance. Legislation would waive any preemption so that states with stricter penalties could continue to enforce them.
For more information, e-mail Elizabeth Ambrose at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8253.
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