By STEPHANIE BEECKEN
6 News Reporter
ROCKWOOD (WATE) - Tennessee lawmakers recently put in place new restrictions and upped the penalties to crack down on metal thieves. What do the changes mean for recyclers who want to stay on the right side of the law?
Luke Wyatt has owned Roane Metals Group for nine years. He says people have tried to sell him stolen metal. They've also stolen metal from his scrap yard.
"We've been broken into and found our copper scrap laying back at the railroad tracks behind a building, 200 to 300 pounds at a time," Wyatt said.
He says supports any legislation that cracks down on theft.
"What we're all after is out to stop the thieves, the person that is stealing the scrap metal. And if they come to a yard that's doing the right things and abides by the law, that should drastically curtail the thefts of scrap metal," Wyatt said.
The new law requires every scrap metal dealer to register for each location they operate, adding accountability.
Also scrap metal in a dealer's possession can now be inspected without a warrant.
If someone is caught selling or buying stolen metal taken from a public utility or government property, they could face a harsher punishment.
"Once this reaches over $500 in damage or repair for the damage, it moves to a Class E felony and that is for the person selling it or the person buying it," Wyatt explained.
Scrap metal yard owners who abide by the new law hope it will eventually bring them more business and deter metal theft.
"Our hope is that this law will shut down the dealers who are not abiding by the law, and that in turn will bring more scrap into us," Wyatt said.
Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) sponsored this measure and says the recycling industry plays an important role in stopping metal theft. He also says with more accountability and power to enforce, metal thefts may be curbed.
The new law requires every scrap metal dealer to register for each location they operate.
