New law aimed at curbing copper thieves

A local scrap metal dealer says he’s happy with recently passed legislation that seeks to curb copper theft.

“We helped write it,” said Brian Barton, manager at American Compressed Steel. “We very much support it.”
Barton, who is also legislative chairman for the Mid-America Chapter for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc., said the purpose of

Senate Bill 1034 was to try to get the focus out of scrap metal yards and onto the theft problem itself.
“We’re looking at it as more of a tool for law enforcement, so they can have more access and options for looking into scrap yards and trying to find the thieves,” he said.

State Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, sponsored the legislation. The bill was delivered Thursday to the office of Gov. Matt Blunt, who applauded the General Assembly for their efforts.

“Copper and metal theft is becoming an increasing problem in our state, and this legislation will provide law enforcement with additional tools to protect Missourians from this costly crime,” Blunt said in a release.

The law includes changes to record keeping requirements for purchases greater than $50; requires that buyers keep a copy of a state- or federally-issued photo ID from a seller; mandates records be kept and made available to law enforcement for two years; alters from whom certain metals can be bought; makes changes to several  penalties; and requires that all payments over $500 be made by check or other traceable method.

The bill allows for some exemptions when there is a long-standing business relationship with a seller whose business can reasonably be expected to generate scrap metal.

Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond said he appreciated the industry’s efforts.
“I think this legislation is a good working agreement to allow law enforcement to do their job and yet allow metal processors to do their job as well,” he said.

Such theft is a problem in Pettis County, Bond said.

“No question about that. Copper theft and just metal thefts in general,” he said. “You name it, we’re just seeing a lot of it.”

Barton said his company is working with Bond to go beyond the bill’s requirements and keep an open line of communication with police. The company is trying to be “proactive, rather than reactive” to what has been an “epidemic” in Missouri, he said.

Barton said his company has always had an open door policy with police.

“We typically have a policy where if it’s stolen, we don’t want it,” he said.