July 20, 2007

I was pleased to see this month that on CNN’s web site, Fortune Magazine dedicated an article to the issue of scrap metal theft. I’ve been pushing for legislation dealing with this serious problem here in West Virginia, and it looks like there is widespread need for action.

According to Fortune, in 2006, more than 24,000 manhole covers were stolen from the streets of Shanghai, while in Fort Worth, Texas,last month, bronze memory urns were stolen from graveyards. Amazingly, 705 pounds of aluminum bleachers were stolen from a baseball field in Washington, D.C.

While those are disturbing stories, Fortune notes that there is a much more dangerous aspect to this problem, as evidenced by what has taken place in West Virginia. In April, two men were trapped in a West Virginia mine after an apparent attempt to steal scrap metal. At least three people were electrocuted last year while trying to steal copper cable from West Virginia utility lines. Thousands of dollars worth of scrap metal has been stolen here.

Fortune Magazine notes that there have been "cyclical" occurrences of scrap metal theft in the past, such as when silver’s worth shot up during the early 1980s, leading to multi-million thefts in London and New York. "But the current crime wave, which began two years ago, has escalated since, and is markedly worse," reporter Telis Demos states.

The description of those who steal metals in some parts of the country has apparently grown from drug-addicted individuals to organized groups.

The difference has to do with not just increasing prices for raw material, but with the "global demand for scrap metal." The United States is exporting more and more of it to developing countries, and therefore domestic prices have rapidly increased as well.

According to Fortune, 30 states are considering tougher regulation of scrap yards.

In the event Gov. Manchin calls a special session this summer, I have written to him, asking him to consider placing a revised bill to deal with the problem of scrap metal theft on the next special session agenda. I stated in a letter to Gov. Manchin that legislation to combat these attempts "is extremely important to the state and the safety of its citizens."

House Bill 2748, which I sponsored, was adopted during the 2007 regular legislative session. It would have amended the West Virginia Code to increase record-keeping requirements for scrap metal dealers purchasing certain types of scrap metal and impose escalating criminal penalties for those who violate those requirements.

But the governor vetoed the bill, citing the concern that amendments to the bill added measures which could have infringed on the civil liberties of scrap metal dealers. I’m confident we can develop legislation that addresses his concerns, and gets the state moving in the right direction regarding this growing concern.

I welcome and appreciate your input on these or any other legislative issues. Write to House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, Building 1, Room 228-M, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, 25305, or joe@joedelong.com, or call 304-340-3220