Materials theft has become an overwhelming
problem across the country. Its impact on the scrap
recycling industry is significant. Recyclers have
become both the victims of theft and the target for
legislative efforts to solve the theft problem. ISRI
has taken several steps to provide members and
community leaders with helpful resources that they
can use when facing this issue.
Gary Bush, Director of Material Theft Prevention
and National Law Enforcement Liaison for ISRI,
writes about his own introduction to the problem of
metal theft and the power of partnerships in solving
the problem. He also relates a number of success
stories. "The burden of solving the problem cannot
and should not be placed solely on the recycling
industry," he writes. "Solving the problem will take
effort by all stakeholders: recyclers, law
enforcement, prosecutors, and victims."
ISRI National Law Enforcement Liasion Gary Bush
introduces you to the most effective way in the
country to combat metal theft, scraptheftalert.com.
Available
Resources
Letter
of Introduction From Frank Cozzi, February 20,
2007 Dear Fellow ISRI Member: Metals theft
has become an overwhelming problem for communities,
police, and, of course, recyclers. Dozens of
jurisdictions across the country have enacted, or
are considering, metals theft
legislation...
Do
Not Buy Kegs For Scrap This full-color flier
implores scrap recyclers not to accept beer kegs as
scrap. "Beer kegs are the property of brewers and
beer importers. No one else should buy or sell kegs
for scrap. Accepting kegs is illegal." (202KB
PDF)
Metals
Theft FAQ ISRI's Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) file helps answer questions that scrap
recyclers often face when addressing metals
theft.
Group
Helps Solve Copper Theft PHILADELPHIA --
Scott Dale Graves, 37, has been accused of stealing
three 25-pound spools of copper valued at $200 from
the Flint Energies warehouse in Warner Robins, Ga.
He is being held at the Houston County jail in
Perry, Ga. Warner Robins Police credited the Middle
Georgia Metal Theft Committee for playing a key role
in leading to the arrest of Graves. The group is an
alliance of recyclers, other local businesses and
industries and law enforcement officers whose goal
is to reduce metal thefts in the area. Sanjab
Recycling, a South Macon, Ga., recycler and member
of the alliance, contacted police about some copper
it had purchased and later identified Graves as the
seller of the
metal.
A-1
Recycling Alerts Police to Metal Theft—Arrests Total
50 A-1 Recycling of Hesperia, Calif. recently
alerted local law enforcement officials that unique
stainless steel materials were being offered for
sale by two men. The company's staff recognized the
stainless steel materials as being specialized
components used by a nearby solar plant, one of the
recycling company's customers for years. Local
deputies arrived and arrested the two men for
stealing the materials, making them the 49th and
50th on-site arrests by the company. The stolen
materials were returned to the rightful owner who
expressed his gratitude for A-1's
efforts.
Marietta
Recycling Center Receives Law Enforcement
Accolades Scott Cone of the Marietta
Recycling Center has received a letter of
commendation from the Marietta Police Department for
his company's efforts to assist local police with
the metal theft problem. Deputy Chief Billy Grogan
noted the time that Marietta Recycling Center had
spent training officers and detectives about the
scrap recycling industry and providing helpful tips
on apprehending metal thieves. He also noted that
the department looks forward to "strengthening the
partnership between Marietta Recycling and the
Marietta Police Department so our relationship
becomes a model for other communities across the
country."
Commendation
for Utah Metal Works Utah Metal Works
received a commendation from the Salt Lake City
Police Department for the scrap dealers' help in
gathering surveillance video and transaction records
that led to the arrest of two metals thieves. "Your
and your employees assistance provided valuable
assistance and two arrests were made," the letter of
commendation
read.
Testimonial
From Streetsboro, Ohio We are VERY HAPPY with
the response that we received from local scrap
dealers, ESPECIALLY YOURS, re: the theft of our
bronze.
ISRI
Theft Alert Leads To Arrests in Oregon ISRI
Member Buckman Iron & Metal provided key
information to local police that led to the arrest
of a man suspected of stealing $100,000 worth of
stainless steel.
The
Macon–Middle Georgia Metal Theft
Committee The Macon–Middle Georgia Metal
Theft Committee is a regional, cooperative group of
many entities affected by the problems associated
with metal theft crimes in central Georgia,
including recyclers, law enforcement, and affected
industries. Since the creation of the committee,
reported metal theft crimes within the city of Macon
fell to only 9 incidents in October 2007 from a peak
of 84 incidents in December
2006.
Theft
Alert Leads to Material Recovery A wire
manufacturer in Colorado reported the theft of wire
spools to the Theft Alert system and a cashier at a
nearby scrap facility recognized the stolen
materials.
ISRI
Member Stalls Suspected Thief An ISRI member
in the Pacific Northwest tried to stall a suspect by
parking a forklift behind a vehicle that was on a
watch-list for a recent aluminum theft and
pretending the lift had broken
down.
ISRI
Member Info Leads to Arrest ISRI Member
Buckman Iron & Metal provided key information to
local police that led to the arrest of a man
suspected of stealing $100,000 worth of stainless
steel.
Police
Recognize Sims Metal's Efforts An employee of
Sims Metals in Rancho Cordova, Calif., was
recognized by the UC Davis Police Department for
reporting stolen University property that came into
his facility.
One effective way to fight theft is for
recycling processors to require photo identification
for all transactions. Make sure your policy is clear
with this colorful sign, which you can have printed
to your specifications. Note: The link does not
go directly to the file, but to a Web site that will
allow its download.Download »
PDF files require Adobe
Reader, available as a free
download.
Materials Theft
