WV City Looks to Introduce Scrap Metal Ordinance

The Huntington, WV City Council held a meeting on Sept. 25 where they had the first reading on a proposed ordinance to tighten regulations for scrap yards operating in the city. The proposed ordinance is in response to an increase in the number of metal thefts that have occurred in the city over the past several months.

The ordinance is being sponsored by Councilman Scott Caserta. It would require scrap metal dealers in the city to upload detailed information on the scrap metal they purchase to the city’s police department. For those companies who do not have ready access to the Internet at their facility, the city would make contingencies.

Additionally, a key point of the ordinance would be for scrap metal dealers to hold material for 72 hours before processing the material to give the police the chance to determine whether or not the material had been stolen. Other parts of the ordinance includes mandating that anyone delivering metal to a scrap yard would have to provide detailed information.

The fines for failing to comply with the ordinance would be as much as $500 per infraction, 30 days in jail and the possible loss of a license.

Caserta acknowledges there are a number of issues that need to be discussed before any final vote on the ordinance takes place, including the length of time a scrap dealer would have to hold the material. In discussing the ordinance Caserta said while the city hopes the ordinance would reduce the amount of theft taking place in the city, the City Council is seeking input from the affected party. "We don’t want companies to leave the city," he pointed out.

With many scrap dealers looking to turn the material as soon as possible, Caserta is cognizant that even 3 days may be too long a time for some companies to successfully operate.

After the initial reading of the ordinance the bill will likely come up for a public hearing in October at the next meeting where the ordinance will be voted on.