Fri, Jul 18 2008
|
|
Published May 21, 2008 10:54 pm - Gov. Matt Blunt, during a swing through Joplin on Wednesday, signed legislation aimed at curbing the theft of copper and other metals. Gov. Blunt signs bill aimed at reducing copper thefts By Derek Spellman dspellman@joplinglobe.com Gov. Matt Blunt, during a swing through Joplin on Wednesday, signed legislation aimed at curbing the theft of copper and other metals. Key provisions of the new law require better record-keeping by scrap-metal dealers, and stiffen penalties for the thieves and the dealers who do not follow the law, Blunt said during a news conference at the Joplin police station. “These thieves are literally tearing apart people’s homes, farms and businesses, and selling off the pieces for scrap,” Blunt said in a prepared statement. “The legislation I signed today will give our law enforcement the tools they need to aggressively pursue these metal thieves and put them behind bars.” Under the new law, dealers must get a copy of photo identification for people who are not regular business customers but are selling more than $50 worth of copper, brass, bronze or aluminum. Dealers would have to keep those records for two years and make them available to law enforcement for inspection upon request. A court order or warrant would not be needed. For some purchases of more than $500, scrap-metal dealers would have to be paid with a check or some other method that can be traced. The new law stiffens penalties for dealers who don’t keep the proper paperwork. The fine currently ranges from $25 to $500. Under the new law, dealers could be charged with misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The law, which takes effect Aug. 28, makes it a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison to steal wire, electrical transformers or any pipe used for conducting electricity or transporting natural gas or other fuels. The dealers will be barred from accepting certain types of materials without the owner’s written consent. For example, dealers could be fined up to $1,000 for accepting a metal beer keg without the brewer’s permission. There will be a $500 fine for dealers who accept manhole covers, bleachers, guardrails, signs, traffic lights or cemetery materials without written permission from the utility, governmental entity or cemetery. During Wednesday’s news conference, Maj. Ron Replogle, who oversees the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, hailed the measure. “This is a great bill,” he said. “Law enforcement has had its hands tied in the past.” Julie Maus, a spokeswoman for Empire District Electric Co., also lauded the measure, citing several instances in which copper has been stolen from grounding wires at utility poles or substations in Empire’s service area. The theft of that copper not only costs Empire and its customers, but also poses safety hazards for employees, the public and even the thieves themselves, she said. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Joplin Herald section
Council draws visitors to park Harris cites fuel prices in Joplin campaign stop Jury extends sex offender’s incarceration |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
The Joplin Globe Publishing Company 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. |
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service 
|