[BC] AM Theft Mitigation

[Milton R. Holladay Jr.]

#1 is already in use, at least here. Maybe anyone selling over a certain
amount should have to provide a bit more info
am
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Mathis" <thebeaver32 at gmail.com>
To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 7:19 PM
Subject: [BC] AM Theft Mitigation


> You know, it seems to me there's a solution to the copper theft problem.
>
> 1. Have people that bring in scrap copper produce some verifiable
> identification.
> 2. License scrap dealers to take in copper, and as part of the
> licensing, have some training to look for obvious theft (such as
> large quantities of #10 bare copper wire with dirt clinging to it,
> large lengths/quantities of coaxial cable, and large quantities of
> new-looking copper pipe/tubing and romex cable). There can't be that
> much of these items thrown away on a daily basis, so if someone is
> bringing it in regularly, there's a good chance it's stolen.
> 3. License people to be copper scrap sellers. If it's your legitimate
> business to collect and sell copper scrap to dealers, then getting a
> license should be a small problem. This process can be used to weed
> out criminals, druggies, and gangs.
> 4. Before a scrap dealer can buy scrap copper, he must verify the
> source of the copper, as to location it came from, and its owner.
> 5. Require that all scrap dealers that take in copper should be
> notified of thefts within, say, a 300 mile radius of their location.
> Thieves aren't going to drive further than that to dispose of their
> wares; it would cost more than what they'd get for the copper.
> 6. Have stiff penalties for people convicted of copper theft, beyond
> just petty larceny and theft. A few people sentenced to 30 years or
> so for this would surely make others think twice or three times.
> 7. For those convicted, make them pay restitution. That'll keep them
> poor for a LONG time.
>
> There are probably other ideas that would work. Since copper is
> becoming a valuable resource, I think we should take pains to protect
> our investments.
>
> JM