Cooper theft report_missouri_senate
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Senator Rob Mayer is hosting a community forum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on December 6th to address the issue of copper theft affecting farmers and rural citizens in the state. Copper theft from irrigation systems and power lines is costing farmers thousands of dollars in repairs and threatening to leave some isolated without power or communication. The meeting will identify policies to protect consumers from theft and potential legislation requiring scrap metal dealers to record identification from sellers to help law enforcement track down thieves. Senator Mayer invites local residents to the meeting to find solutions to the growing problem.
Cooper theft report_missouri_senate
- 1. MISSOURI SENATE Rob Mayer CAPITOL BUILDING, ROOM 331 JEFFERSON CITY JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101 25th Senate District For Immediate Release Contact: Irene Murray November 30, 2007 (573) 751-3859 Sen. Mayer to Host Copper Theft Forum on December 6th in Poplar Bluff JEFFERSON CITY Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, is inviting people from Southeast Missouri to attend a community forum addressing the causes and possible solutions to the copper theft epidemic gripping much of the state. The meeting will be held at the Poplar Bluff City Hall at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 6th. It follows similar meetings already held in Liberty and St. Peters. Irrigation center pivots of Bootheel farmers are being made inoperable by thieves stealing the copper cable and wiring on those pivots, Sen. Mayer said. While the thieves might get away with a few dollars worth of scrap copper, it can cost farmers anywhere between $4,000 to $10,000 for each pivot to get them working again. And as we approach the next growing season, its an expense of money and time our farmers cannot afford. Sen. Mayer adds thieves are also taking copper wire from telephone poles and power lines, which has the potential to leave some of our most isolated, vulnerable citizens in the cold and dark with no way of contacting the outside. The meetings will help identify policies to help protect consumers, farmers, business owners, and utilities from this type of theft. In addition, Sen. Mayer plans to introduce legislation in the coming session that will require scrap metal dealers to get drivers license information from the people who sell them the copper as well as vehicle information. This information will help law enforcement agencies more easily track down metal thieves, said Sen. Mayer. I urge my colleagues to sign on to my proposal, and I ask my fellow Southeast Missourians to join me on Thursday, December 6th at 2 p.m. at the Poplar Bluff City Hall to find other solutions to this problem that is hurting so many of our farmers and rural citizens. Senator Robert Mayer represents the people of Wayne, Ripley, Butler, Stoddard, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Dunklin counties in the Missouri Senate. Senator Rob Mayer 25th Senatorial District Page 1