[BC] AM Theft Mitigation

[Paul Smith W4KNX]

Maybe pawn shop rules would work.  A politician would understand that.

Paul Smith
W4KNX
Sarasota, FL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Milton R. Holladay Jr." <miltron at mindspring.com>
To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 8:55 PM
Subject: Re: [BC] AM Theft Mitigation


> #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
>