Scrapyards adjust to new state rules aimed at deterring metal thefts

October 4, 2007

By Tarah Holland
hollandtarah@gannett.com

By next week, new hardware will be up and running at Caddo Iron and Supply Co. The equipment will include a computer, thumbprint scanner and Internet access.

Though owner Steve Friedman could do without the change, he and other local metal dealers have until next week to comply with an amended state law that requires more information about metal sales in an attempt to deter thieves.

"We haven't had any problems here except for the new law," said Friedman, whose family-owned company has operated in Shreveport for 67 years. "It's more work and more time. I've had to change the way that I do business."

Under the new law, scrap metal dealers must photograph the metal being sold, record information about the vehicle used to transport the metal to the dealer, make a copy of the seller's state identification card or driver's license and obtain a copy of the seller's thumbprint.

A report then must be submitted to law enforcement agencies via the Internet so they can access the information through LeadsOnline, a national Internet-based investigations system used to investigate crimes involving the burglary or theft of property to narcotics and homicide. Law enforcement agencies pay for access to the database; it is free for businesses to submit information, Caddo sheriff's Detective Andy Scoggins said.

The Internet requirement has forced some local business owners like Friedman to upgrade their offices.

Despite mixed feelings about the new law, business owners and law enforcement agree copper has fueled the increase in thefts.

"Six years ago, copper was 50 cents a pound," Friedman said. "It's $2 and up today."

In addition, the prices of aluminum and brass have risen, Scoggins said. "A lot of (the metal) is sold overseas to make ammunition for the war in Iraq, so prices have skyrocketed. Air conditioners used to be stolen to be used or sold. Now they're stolen to be taken apart for the aluminum that's inside."

Construction and oil companies are among businesses heavily impacted by the thefts, Scoggins said.

"We'd rather curb the theft. If thieves know they'll have to ID themselves completely when they go to sell, maybe they'll stop stealing."

With some forms of scrap metal, it can be difficult to tell what is stolen and what isn't.

"We don't want to buy anything stolen," said Jay Hollis, general manager of General Scrap Metal Co. in Shreveport. "We get tons of legitimate metal, but it looks the same."

Prior to the new state requirements, the scrapyard had significant measures in place that allowed it to assist in numerous arrests of metal thieves, Hollis said.

"We want to do everything we can to get those who are stealing, but without getting too much involved in the police work. I'd like to see us verify that the person selling is the person on the license, but leave the validity to the police."

For General Scrap Metal, which sees about 200 customers a day, the added work has slightly slowed operations, Hollis said. "If the lines are too long or someone can't sell because a licence tag expired, there might be some other issues with pile-ups."

For Lloyd Wade, of Shreveport, the added time can be frustrating. "They ID you and then they re-ID you," said Wade, who sold items to General Scrap Metal on Wednesday morning. "They're tightening up. I'm not stealing, so I'll go along with them. I'm also trying to get in and out, but it takes more time."

As next week approaches, Wade hopes the new procedures don't discourage sellers from going to local scrapyards.

"It's the good suffering for the bad," Wade said of honest sellers. "Times are tight and taxes are high. This is a way to get extra help and to help keep city streets clean. I hope they get it straight so that people don't mind coming to the scrapyard."

Last week, an investigation by Caddo sheriff's deputies and Shreveport police led to the arrests of two people for allegedly stealing 164 copper flower pots from Shreveport's Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. They were apprehended at River City Iron & Metal in west Caddo.