[BC] AM Theft Mitigation

[Kevin C. Kidd, CSRE]

We have sold hundreds of pounds of dirty copper scrap to 
reputable recyclers for CASH with no request for 
identification.  It makes me sick.  I have had 2 copper 
thefts from my warehouse in the past year and a 
half.  Thankfully they didn't gain entrance to the 
warehouse itself but have cleaned out trailers and the 
scrap pile.  If they would have taken the rest of the junk 
I wouldn't have bitched too much.

Later,

At 07:55 PM 12/22/2006, Milton R. Holladay Jr. wrote
#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

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-- 

Kevin Kidd, CSRE
WD4RAT
mailto:kkidd at kkbc.com

KK BROADCAST ENGINEERING
http://www.kkbc.com

AM GROUND SYSTEMS CO.
http://www.amgroundsystems.com

51 Ridge Ln
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Local:        931-766-2999
Nation Wide:  877-766-2999
FAX:          931-766-3974