Join the discussion on the following article:
Senator pushes bill that targets metal thefts following MTA subway copper theft
Atta boy, chuckie!!!
I’m glad the good senator is properly annoyed at this, as are the rest of us, but the plain fact of the matter is it’s illegal to steal the stuff to begin with. Theft is theft, whatever the article is. Why more laws on top of other laws already on the books?
The proper course of action here is stiff mandatory sentencing for thefts that impact public safety, particularly thefts that affect mass transit systems. Throw the book at 'em!
NOT a Federal issue.
Yup, 200 new laws ought to about do it. Those thieves will shutter when they read them…Oh, that’s right, laws only keep honest people honest.
They propose these laws as if it were legal in the first place.
“Due to the high price of iron, copper, and other metal, New York City has experienced an increasing number of metal thefts…”
But wasn’t this the headline in Trains Newswire yesterday? “Minnesota mines to be idled for two years” Due to this “Parent company Steel Dynamics Inc. says the facilities will remain idle amid a continued global decrease in iron prices.”
I’m afraid one of these days a thief is going to find out how much power is going through those lines. The new laws won’t do em a bit of good then!!
The nation’s rails are a delinquent’s playground. Want to steal copper or deface the property?..Go at it. But heaven forbid you show up trackside with a camera.
There are laws against theft, tresspassing etc. already, how are new laws going to make a difference? MTA & NYCTA has tougher laws on railfans and cameras than anything else, as far as me, I hope they keep stealing so they would leave railfans alone.
Many of the commenters apparently did not read carefully. A very important component of the new law would target those who BUY the metals. If the copper can’t be sold, it won’t be stolen.
Laurence - exactly. The article itself answers pretty much all the complaints, it doesn’t focus on making something that was illegal more illegal (there’s only one part of the proposals that could be described as that), instead it introduces procedures that make metal theft harder to profit from and introduces new penalties for non-compliance with the new rules.
“Schumer’s proposal recommends that sellers be required to show documentation before selling metal to scrap dealers, while also requiring dealers to maintain detailed records for purchases of metal, and cap the amount at $100 in cash that recyclers can pay for scrap metal.”
Now, there may be legitimate reasons to criticize this too, but not on the grounds that it makes something already illegal illegal. There’s little doubt it will make it harder to profit from stolen copper. The question is whether it could also severely damage legitimate metal recycling - for example, the trash scavengers who collect resellable large items left for trash pick-up just before trash day.
Paul, There is really no doubt in my mind the buyer or buyers had to know this type of copper cable in this large amount was not just " laying around " someones home or business. They had an idea it was stolen but instead of questioning the seller, they saw dollar signs. Pawn shops ( in our state ) are required to question and report suspect items so the same should be required for recycling centers. All I am saying is this was obviously not trash and the buyer ( if it has been sold ) knows.