The Common Council for the city of South Bend, Ind., passed legislation last week that aims to reduce the level of scrap metal theft taking place in the city.
The legislation passed at its third reading on April 27th, and amends various sections of the city’s Municipal Code. Enforcement of the bill will begin May 12th.
The law would require scrap recyclers to have their license applications screened by the policy, which would then recommend the company for the license. Yards also would have to report all purchases within 24 hours to the authorities. People selling scrap metal would be required to present photo ID, license number and other detailed information.
Records would not be required for containers and newspaper.
According to the South Bend Tribune, businesses would only be subject to a two- or three-day holding period on purchased scrap if the business violated the provisions on record keeping within the past year. Also, video surveillance equipment would have to be installed by Sept. 1 under the new law.
Other parts of the bill that were voted in include the following: the South Bend Department of Administration and Finance has 15 business days after receiving an applications to make a recommendation; upon receiving the bill; an annual fee of $250 will be assessed to a scrap and/or recycling facility; no business shall receive or purchase any property between the hours of 8PM and 7 am, or on Sundays or legal holidays; with the exception of rags, paper and containers, minors are prohibited from selling material to scrap dealers; and every transaction involving ferrous or non-ferrous metal where a single transaction involves less than $100, but does not include purchases between scrap metal facilities shall require the signed form.