Bradford debates draft version of scrap metal theft ordinance

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Bradford City Council, in a work session held on Tuesday, held discussions on a draft version of an ordinance to curb rising incidents of scrap metal theft in the area. The ordinance proposes to use the information available with pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers, junk dealers, auto salvage dealers, scrap iron and metal processors in identifying the culprits.

As per the the proposed ordinance, the above businesses are required to sumbit a weekly record of their transactions of used items to the Bradford City Police. The record should contain information such as name, address, date of birth, identification type and number, phone number, date and time of transaction, detailed inventory of items such as serial numbers and amount of money for the transaction. The businesses are also required to save a picture of the items under transaction.

Under the draft ordinance, the transacted used items would remain in possession of the pawnbroker for a minimum of 15 days prior to the sale. However, precious metals including gold, silver and platinum need to be kept in custody only for at least 7 days.

The ordinance proposes a penalty of up to $250 for the first offense. Second offense would attract a fine of up to $500. The third and subsequent offenses will be fined up to $1,000, jail sentence for 30 days or both.

The ordinance would come before the City Council during mid-February this year.