December 16, 2008
Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9)
Bill Clears Both Houses with Bipartisan Support – Heads to Governor’s Desk for Final Signature
The State Assembly overwhelmingly passed 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. 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.
“To effectively combat this crime, New Jersey needs a comprehensive system in place that would allow law enforcement to track down and convict metal thieves,” said Senator Connors, a member of the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Creating a paper trail for police to follow will serve as a strong deterrent by making criminals think twice about attempting to cash in their stolen property at a scrap yard knowing that it can be traced back to them. The record requirements proposed under our legislation are necessary to provide law enforcement and the courts with the tools needed to successfully prosecute this escalating type of crime.”
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.
“Our Delegation has taken the lead role in the Legislature to fight the metal theft crime wave in our state,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “This effort started through discussions between our Delegation and the Stafford Township Police Department focused on effective methods to provide law enforcement with the tools and means necessary to track down metal thieves. The result of this cooperative effort was our legislation that has achieved strong bipartisan support in both Houses and has quickly advanced through the legislative process. Its enactment would mark the most significant enhancement of existing State law to facilitate in the apprehension and conviction of metal thieves and combating the rising tide of this 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, “New home construction, aluminum bleachers, flag poles and even funeral urns have all been reported as being the target of metal thieves. It has become evident that the profit involved in these types of thefts has driven criminals to become even more brazen, especially in this type of difficult economy that could push certain people to the point of desperation. To protect the property of residents and businesses, New Jersey needs laws on the books that allow police to track down metal thieves. It won’t be long before the message gets out that the chances of pulling off this type of crime are not good and only then will there be a noticeable reduction in these criminal acts.”
The legislation maintains bipartisan sponsorship with Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Senator John Girgenti serving as a prime sponsor.
Having passed both Houses, the measure now heads to the Governor’s desk for final signature.
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