House Passes Scrap Metal Bill

Police across the North Shore have seen an increase in theft of copper pipes, plaques and even sewer grates, in some communities, as the price of metal has increased.

In the early morning hours on Nov. 3, thieves lifted 10 cast-iron storm drain covers from Swampscott streets. 

If a bill approved this week by the Massachusetts House becomes law, metal thieves such as those who struck in Swampscott will likely have a harder time unloading their stash.

The law would require dealers at scrap metal yards to see identification from all scrap sellers — an effort to curb the sale of stolen metal. 

The Swampscott thefts left gaping holes on several streets putting walkers and drivers at risk of serious injury,  Det. Tim Cassidy said at the time.

Det. Cassidy said thieves take the covers and sell them for their metal value.

“Revere, Malden, Saugus and Lynn are all reporting similar incidents,” he said. 

The detective thinks the scrap metal law would help law enforcement try to prevent metal thefts but if the parties have fake identification it will still be tough to stop.

In August of 2010, a Danvers man was arrested after selling a bronze plaque ripped from the Danvers Rotary Pavilion in as well as a garden urn stolen from the nearby  in Danvers.

The increase in the price of metal has led to people stealing and selling plaques from Veterans’ monuments, copper tubing from houses, bleacher seats from school stadiums and even backhoe buckets.

Copies of a seller’s identification will be kept in a dealer’s transaction log along with the date of sale, the price paid, a description of the article and the license plate number of the seller. 

Identification regarding the company, corporation, organization or society with which the seller is association will also be required. 

Records will be retained by the dealer for one year from the date of transaction and be open for inspection by the state and local police upon reasonable request during that year. 

“Strengthened communication between dealers and police is at the heart of the bill,” said Representative Ted Speliotis (D-Danvers) who chairs the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure that heard the bill.  “This will enable the dealers to protect themselves from purchasing stolen goods and also give local authorities more information when materials are reported stolen.”

Dealers and police departments will be required to check for stolen items listed with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI for short) alert system. 

“It’s amazing what people have stolen and tried to sell locally,” said Speliotis.  “Including the Rotary Pavilion plaque in Danvers.”