Assembly Committee Advances Connors-Rumpf-Van Pelt Metal Theft Legislation

October 23, 2008

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9)

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt to require owners of scrap metal yards to maintain purchasing records for transactions involving metals was favorably released today by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee. The 9th District Delegation’s measure (S-1781) is designed to combat the rising tide of metal theft in the state, a criminal trend that has dramatically increased across the country as the result of the increasing prices of certain metals, including copper and aluminum.

“Rarely does a week go by where there is not a major incident reported involving metal theft and there is no sign of this type of crime slowing down anytime soon,” said Senator Connors, a member of the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This legislation was drafted in cooperation with the Stafford Police Department based on trends that officers had recognized in criminal activity. In order to effectively combat this escalating crime, it is critical that law enforcement be provided with the necessary tools to track stolen property back to the perpetrators.”

Under the Delegation’s initiative, scrap metal businesses would be required to verify the ID of a person delivering or selling scrap metal by examining a driver’s license or other government issued ID with a photo. Businesses would be required to maintain records for at least five years that would include the date of a purchase, name and address of the seller, and a copy of the ID provided, as well as a description of the metal.

Scrap metal businesses would also be required to make information available to any law enforcement official investigating the theft of scrap metal. Additionally, police departments would be able to notify scrap metal businesses of a reported theft and provide details as to the type of metal stolen.

“Unfortunately, honest operators of scrap metal yards unknowingly become entangled in these crimes by virtue of being the only venue where thieves can turn a profit from their stolen property,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “Making these records available to police would put criminals on notice that there is a strong chance they will be linked to the stolen property and apprehended by law enforcement. States throughout the country have enacted similar provisions or are in the process of doing so. If our state delays any longer, we run the risk of thieves converging on New Jersey and a continued escalation of this type crime.”

The operator of a scrap metal business would be required to report to law enforcement any suspicious delivery of scrap metal that may have been illegally obtained. Violations of the record maintenance or reporting of suspicious delivery provisions would be a disorderly persons’ offense. Additionally, 3rd and subsequent violations would constitute a crime of the 4th degree.

Assemblyman Van Pelt went on to say, “From retail stores to utility companies, the growing list of victims of this crime continues to expand at an alarming rate. Increases in the market price of certain metals, most prominently copper and aluminum, has driven thieves to become even more brazen because of the big pay day involved. In this type of economy, businesses can’t continue to take the losses attributed to metal heists. Our legislation offers an effective plan for combating this type of crime by giving law enforcement access to the information it needs to track down and prosecute these thieves.”

The legislation maintains bipartisan sponsorship with Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Senator John Girgenti serving as a prime sponsor.

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/connors/assembly-committee-advances-connors-rumpf-van-pelt-metal-theft-legislation/1402