Due to the advent of the rampant theft of Catalytic Converters, it has been made known that performing such a crime is not only wrong, unwise, but it’s dangerous too. Often, it’s businesses that find they have been the victims of foul play. Utility wires—electricity, phone and cable—are stripped and construction supplies are stolen, setting back the work they were doing and involving law enforcement.

It’s not only businesses, though. Individuals are victims, as well. Imagine trying to start your vehicle and finding that the catalytic converter is gone—stolen for the metal someone can recycle for scrap. This isn’t a phenomenon known only in the Scioto Valley. It’s happening all over the United States. Several states either have passed or have legislation pending that would address metal theft.

In Ohio, the passage of House Bill 206 now requires record keeping by scrap metal recyclers who take scrap catalytic converters, scrap aluminum siding and scrap copper. State Rep. Clyde Evans, R-Rio Grande, who represents part of Ross County, was a co-sponsor of HB 206. The bill was introduced in May and recently passed by the Senate, where, among others, it was co-sponsored by State Sen. John Carey, R-Wellston, who also represents Ross County.

It requires the dealer keep a complete daily record book of the items brought in and who brought them in. Included in the log are: the complete name, description and residence of the person who brought the items in, as well as the date and time they were brought in to the recycler.

The dealer must also hold onto the items for no fewer than 10 days after receiving it, and must also keep it in plain sight. So, if someone believes they may have been the target of metal thieves, they have some time according to the law to work with law enforcement and locate their items.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 1st, 2007 at 8:28 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.