Association President On Illegal Scrapping: "We Need Payment Control"

DETROIT (WWJ) - There is growing pressure on Lansing lawmakers to pass a measure that would crack down on illegal scrapping. Leaders with several local sheriff's departments joined together to urge the passage of a state law that would force scrap metal yards to create a paper trail of their sales.

Robert Stevenson is with the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police:

"This is a suburban and it's a rural problem it's happening throughout the state," said Stevenson. "I've been in touch with the chief out in Grand Rapids - they have the same problems that they have in the 'thumb' (area of Michigan) that we have here in southeast Michigan. As it's been spoken to; we need payment control and we need a registry."

Stevenson says the city of St. Louis, Missouri adopted a similar ordinance nearly a year ago and since then they've seen a seventy percent reduction in illegal scrapping.

Michigan ranks 10th in scrap metal theft in the nation and community leaders says it's time to pass laws that will cut off the quick cash for those who steal metal and sell it to disreputable scrap yards.

Legislation pending in Lansing [HOUSE BILL 4593] would require anyone selling an air conditioner, catalytic converter or copper wiring to wait three days for payment.

READ MORE: As WWJ Newsradio 950′s Marie Osborne takes a closer look at the effects of illegal scrapping in her series "Scrapped to Death."