[SBE] Copper theft law in Missouri

[Bill Harris]

It's a start.  We are now approaching nearly a year
of copper theft attacks and the subsequent repairs
and cleanup at our 3 AM stations.  I regret to say
that law enforcement was no help whatsoever.  We had
to handle it all ourselves, posting security and all
the repair work which was then covered in asphalt to
keep them from digging up our ground screens yet again.

As I said, a start, but if there are no 'teeth' in the
law, perhaps not enough.

Bill in New Mexico


-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org]On Behalf Of
chscherer at everestkc.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:39 PM
To: sbe at sbe.org
Subject: [SBE] Copper theft law in Missouri


Some in Missouri say that this legislation is not strong enough to solve the
problem, but even they agree it's a start.
Chriss



>From

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/05/21/law-copper-thefts-tight
ened/

Law on copper thefts tightened
By CHRIS BLANK, The Associated Press

May 21, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- Gov. Matt Blunt was traveling throughout the state
Wednesday to sign legislation that helps police track people who plunder
copper and aluminum and sell to it scrap metal dealers.

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.

For some purchases of more than $500, scrap metal dealers would have to pay
with a check or some other method that can be traced.

The new law also boosts the fine for dealers who don’t keep the proper
paperwork. Currently the fine ranges from $25 to $500. Under the new law,
dealers could be charged with misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in
jail and a $1,000 fine.

Metal theft has become a growing problem as prices for the raw materials
have risen.

Thieves have taken metal from vacant houses, businesses, construction sites,
churches and even graveyards. In April, for example, several hundred
suburban Kansas City telephone customers lost power after thieves cut a
phone line to steal $10 worth of copper. Earlier this month in Jefferson
City, about $100,000 worth of copper was taken from a college dormitory
construction project.

Blunt said in a written statement that the thievery has hit government
building projects and home construction.

“These thieves are literally tearing apart people’s homes, farms and
businesses and selling off the pieces,” he said.

The law, which takes effect Aug. 28, makes it a felony punishable by up to
seven years in prison to steal wire, electrical transformers or any pipe
used for conducting electricity or transporting natural gas or other fuels.

The dealers will be barred from accepting certain types of materials without
the owner’s written consent. For example, dealers could be fined up to a
$1,000 for accepting a metal beer keg without the brewer’s permission.

There will be a $500 fine for dealers who accept manhole covers, bleachers,
guard rails, signs, traffic lights or cemetery materials without written
permission from the utility, governmental entity or cemetery.
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