Lawmaker Proposes Copper, Scrap Metal Database
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: February 27, 2013
JOPLIN, MO-- Missouri lawmakers are looking to crack down on copper thefts statewide. Senate Bill 157 would create a statewide database to keep tabs on sales of copper and any other scrap metal. It would require that records of scrap metal transactions be collected in the statewide system starting in September of 2014. Joplin police say that would make a wide variety of information available for investigations.
Joplin Police Lt. Darren Gallup said, "People who have scrapped metal, and the prices, and what types of things they're scrapping. And that's going to be a good tool for us."
Senate Bill 157 has passed out of committee and next goes before a vote of the full Senate.
