Ordinance Would Combat Scrap Metal Thefts

Sarasota County Commissioners will discuss Tuesday a proposed change to a county ordinance that would regulate the purchase of secondhand good and precious scrap metals. 

If the public hearing for that ordinance is approved today, the county expects that hearing to be set for Wednesday, Nov. 9. 

Sarasota County, a news release said, has a growing problem with the theft and sale of stolen goods such as ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals (gold, silver and copper). Increasing demand for metals of all types and rising metal prices also have significantly contributed to increased metal thefts.

The county's Criminal Justice Commission approved the recommendation of this ordinancne to the county earlier this year. 

In a memo to county commissioners, criminal justice policy coordinator Wayne Applebee wrote:

Recent market influences have led to rising prices of certain metals such as gold, copper, platinum, palladium, and silver. Locally, these market price increases have resulted in a rise in the number of thefts and burglaries within Sarasota County.

Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers and Secondary Metal Recyclers are an integral component to facilitating the demand, which in turn increases the number of thefts against our citizens and businesses. The current Sarasota County ordinance, written in 1993, is not effective in containing the current issue nor is the ordinance reducing the number of crime victims, reducing the economic losses or controlling the release of harmful gases into our atmosphere from the thefts of air condition units. In addition, current Florida Statutes contain loopholes that allow the theft of these metals to thrive, provide little reporting requirements of these metals and the individuals involved in the business transactions. Law enforcement believes addressing these issues will reduce the number of crimes and crime victims, as well as provide them with additional tools to identify stolen goods that ultimately could be returned to the victims.

According to county documents the ordinance would supplement the existing Florida statutes and federal regulations by amending and updating the existing county ordinance.

It aims to close loop holes and clarify ambiguous language present in current legislation. It also assists enforcement efforts by requiring the timely, accurate recording and transmission of records to law enforcement, documents show, providing sufficient time and information to identify and recover stolen property.

Metal theft has cost Sarasota County residents and businesses more than $8 million, the release said. Metal theft also causes an environmental hazard from the release of air-conditioning and appliance refrigerants after the theft of air conditioning units.