Ohio City Considers New Ordinances for Scrap Yards

The city of Canton, Ohio, City Council will be voting on proposed changes to the law targeting the growing problem of stolen scrap metal.

While the city already has an ordinance on the books that addresses the operation of scrap yards, the proposed ordinance would tighten many of the regulations, while also increasing penalties for those who violate the policy.

The second hearing on the ordinance is slated to be heard on Jan. 22; the third hearing and a possible vote on the ordinance could come as soon as Jan. 29, with the new ordinance put in place 30 days afterwards/

If approved, scrap businesses would be required to keep detailed records, including photos, of the scrap seller for a "reasonable period of time."

"The whole intent was designed to toughen up identification requirements and enable the police to track things longer," said Joseph Martuccio, city law director.

The market for scrap metal has increased, said Police Chief Dean McKimm, resulting in more thefts. Copper piping is one of the more popular items.

"It's pretty tough actually to crack the case," he said. "A lot depends on the cooperation of the local scrap yard - some we find are more cooperative than others."

Tougher laws should help police, McKimm said.

If approved by council, records must be kept of all purchases, including the location where the scrap items were obtained, the seller's name, address, phone number, date and hour of the transaction, a photocopy of the seller's driver's license or other current photo identification, and the license plate number of the vehicle used to haul the materials.

Under the proposed rule changes, records must be open and available for inspection by the police chief and safety director for three years. Scrap titanium must be kept in its original condition for at least 72 hours, not including weekends or holidays.

Scrap metal should not be purchased from minors, except aluminum cans valued at $10 or less. Government property cannot be purchased by the dealer, including utility meters, traffic lights, stop signs, guardrails and street signs unless they are accompanied by a receipt, which must be photocopied and retained.

If the sale or exchange exceeds $100 and the seller is unknown to the dealer, the business must get a fingerprint of the seller's right or left thumb.

Under the proposed ordinance, the definition of junk includes old or scrap aluminum, copper, brass, iron, steel and metal. Scrap tires are not on the list.

An annual license fee of $500 would be charged to any junkyard, scrap yard, recycling facility or scrap metal processing facility that buys, sells, exchanges or receives junk or scrap. A license can be revoked for violations.

Excluded are salvage motor vehicle yards that require titles when buying a vehicle, and recycling facilities that do not offer anything of value to individuals in exchange for the recycled material.

Penalties would stiffen. Violating the existing ordinance is a minor misdemeanor. Violating the amended ordinance would be a fourth-degree misdemeanor punishable with a fine of up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense would be a first-degree misdemeanor that can bring a fine of at least $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to six months, Martuccio said. Canton (Ohio) Repository