New Metal Theft Law – SB 1034 – Becomes Effective Statewide Today
St. Charles County Senators and Representatives honored for their support.
 
St. Charles, MO – State legislators, law enforcement, and city officials from the cities of St. Charles and Portage Des Sioux gathered today at St. Charles City Hall to mark the start of a new law aimed at reducing copper theft.  The city of Portage Des Sioux lost all phone service in the Fall of 2007 when metal thieves stole aerial phone cables serving their community.

Senate Bill 1034 was passed by the Missouri General Assembly, and signed into law by Governor Matt Blunt in May.  It goes into effect today.

The law was overwhelmingly passed by the House and Senate with strong support by local lawmakers, including Senators Tom Dempsey and Scott Rupp, and Representatives Sally Faith, Cynthia Davis, Mark Parkinson, Doug Funderburk, Dr. Bob Onder, Joe Smith and Vicki Schneider.

“The high prices being paid for scrap metal have resulted in a severe theft problem,” said Major Mike Amendola with the city of St. Charles Police Department.  “The Missouri Legislature has responded by putting new rules in place for the purchase of scrap metal and increasing the criminal penalties on those convicted.”

The new law states that people selling more than $50 of scrap metal will have to provide photo identification and the buyer will keep a record of the sale for at least two years.  Buyers will have to pay by check for purchases greater than $500 to make sales traceable.  It also makes theft of metal from utilities or fuel facilities a Class C felony.

Mayor Mark Warner, city of Portage Des Sioux, was on hand to thank legislators and said, “I appreciate our legislators working to help us resolve this situation.  Having your entire community go without phone services is a horrible thing.  While we did get back up and running in short order, I’m just glad no one needed to call 911 or had another type of emergency.”

A proclamation was issued to all legislators from St. Charles Mayor Patti York and Council President Jerry Reese that read in part, “The City of St. Charles, Missouri, in observance of this important legislative initiative, underscores that our Mis