Do our PA scrap laws go far enough?

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Here in SoMD there was a rash of catalytic converter thefts a couple years ago, mostly from Park and Ride lots which tend to be rural here and aren't monitored. The thieves would use Sawzalls to cut the converters off, mostly from higher sitting trucks and SUVs. They were eventually caught and the scrapper who was buying them was also charged.

Our Town's Crime Report from the Sheriff last month listed the theft of a chain link driveway gate from a residence. Historically houses under construction in developments have suffered theft of all types of material in this area.

In NEPA there recently were quite a few thefts of catalytic converters from car dealerships. Same MO: high sitting trucks and SUVs, most seemed to be in lots that were a bit removed from the dealerships' main lots.

Catalytic Converter Crooks | WNEP.com — Scranton / Wilkes-Barre / Hazleton

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by MatildaLoo

In NEPA there recently were quite a few thefts of catalytic converters from car dealerships. Same MO: high sitting trucks and SUVs, most seemed to be in lots that were a bit removed from the dealerships' main lots.

Catalytic Converter Crooks | WNEP.com — Scranton / Wilkes-Barre / Hazleton

I talked to my local Representative today. He told me that PA has another bill that has passed the House and is now in the Senate. It will stiffen the penalties if you are caught stealing or buying known stolen scarp metals: The Pennsylvania General Assembly Of course; it is still a long ways until it is signed into law.

My feeling is that our PA laws do not and will not go far enough to stop the theft of our metals to be sold as scrap – I hope that I am wrong. I encouraged my Representative to look at the what AZ, NC and other states have recently done to curb this crime.

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by fisheye

I talked to my local Representative today. He told me that PA has another bill that has passed the House and is now in the Senate. It will stiffen the penalties if you are caught stealing or buying known stolen scarp metals: The Pennsylvania General Assembly Of course; it is still a long ways until it is signed into law.

My feeling is that our PA laws do not and will not go far enough to stop the theft of our metals to be sold as scrap – I hope that I am wrong. I encouraged my Representative to look at the what AZ, NC and other states have recently done to curb this crime.

I'm proud of you for discussing with with your local legislator

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by MatildaLoo

I'm proud of you for discussing with with your local legislator

Thanks but actually I went farther than just him. But; I have not heard back. I do think that this is a subject that demands attention. It is going to haunt all of us for years if we do not change how we do business. On the National (True Crime) forum I heard from a poster that Europe is also having problems. We are not the only only county, state or country.

The key to solving our problem is finding others that have solved their problems and then steal their ideas – just like the metal thieves. But, in this case, to use an idea to put the metal thieves out of business.

[MatildaLoo]

Originally Posted by fisheye

Thanks but actually I went farther than just him. But; I have not heard back. I do think that this is a subject that demands attention. It is going to haunt all of us for years if we do not change how we do business. On the National (True Crime) forum I heard from a poster that Europe is also having problems. We are not the only only county, state or country.

The key to solving our problem is finding others that have solved their problems and then steal their ideas – just like the metal thieves. But, in this case, to use an idea to put the metal thieves out of business.

I agree. It is good to know that it isn't a problem unique to our region, so that as you said we can find out what other places have done to address the issue.