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Feb 5, 2007 7:24 pm US/Central
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Bill Aims To Curb Rampant Copper Theft
by Heather Brown
(WCCO)
With copper prices on the rise, many thieves think they can make quick money by stealing the metal, though it's a crime with huge consequences that can literally destroy homes.
In Minneapolis, the thefts have caused at least four explosions since November. In one case, a woman was burned. Many times, the copper is stolen from pipes while the gas is still turned on.
"It's all based on greed," said Inspector Bob Skomra of the Minneapolis Police Department, "It's plain and simple. It's dollars and sense. It (the copper) is expensive now."
Some in the legislature want to step in to remedy the costly problem.
"It was just a blip on the radar 18 months ago, and now it's approached epidemic proportions," said Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview), who is proposing tougher penalties for criminals who steal the scrap, more recording requirements for scrapyards who buy it, and a real-time system available to police and scrapyards that would track stolen metals.
Gardner's bill will go before a public safety committee hearing on Tuesday.
"When you have houses exploding, you have to do something," he said, adding he believes many scrap metal recyclers do their best to stay within the law, but some need a legal push.
Leder Brothers Metal Company said they've worked proactively to stem the crime.
"We don't want to work with people that are criminally intent," said Mark Leder. "We need to put a fence up, shall we say, to keep people out. This is one of the ways we can do it."
In the past six months, his company has teamed up with other metal recyclers in the Twin Cities to create a standard for accepting scrap. They want to take their system statewide.
They've placed new standardized signs that tell customers they require a picture ID and reserve the right to turn anyone away. Leder said he does so once or twice a day.
"If they look like they shouldn't be sold -- like a brand new roll of wire -- we'll ask them, 'Why are you selling that? That isn't something you should be selling,'" he said.
Skomra wants to see the legislation go a step further. He would like to see the scrap yards take pictures of sellers and the cars. He would also like written proof, like a building permit, that the scrap is legal.
"What we want to do is remove the criminal from making a profit out of this," he said.
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