Metal Thefts Can Cause Dangerous Phone and Electric Outages, Potential for Electrocution
LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)
applauds the passage of a new Kentucky law that will help combat copper metal
theft across the state. The new law becomes effective on July 15, 2008 and
will give law enforcement authorities valuable new tools to help curb the
growing trend of copper metal theft.
'Kentucky residents are put at risk by these thefts, which can cause phone
service outages that leave people without access to 911 emergency services,'
said Joan Coleman, president of AT&T Kentucky. 'The new law will help police
catch thieves and makes it harder for thieves to profit from such thefts.'
Coleman said the passage of the new law was the result of leadership by
the bill's sponsor, Representative Mike Denham of Maysville, as well as Gov.
Steve Beshear, who signed the bill into law on April 11, 2008. The bill passed
both legislative chambers unanimously.
According to Rep. Mike Denham, 'I appreciate my colleagues and Governor
Beshear's support for this important legislation.'
By requiring scrap metal dealers to keep records related to resale
transactions, the law is expected to deter metal thefts and make it easier for
police to apprehend criminals.
The law, originally House Bill 106, establishes stronger record-keeping
requirements for metal sales to scrap dealers. Scrap metal dealers must
register the date and time of the transaction, description of the metal and
the amount paid. In addition, scrap metal dealers must retain for two years
the seller's identification information, including a copy of the photo ID of
the seller and tag number of the vehicle used to transport the material. They
must also retain the metal material in its original form for three business
days or keep a digital photograph of the material.
The bill, similar to laws passed in more than 30 other states, was backed
by many Kentucky associations and companies in the telephone and electric
industries as well as law enforcement officials.
Such thefts are on the rise nationally, particularly as the price of
copper has increased over the last several years. Thefts in Kentucky have
included copper wire from power poles, electric substations, construction
sites and telecommunications companies. Nationally, copper thefts have caused
power and 911 service outages in entire neighborhoods and knocked out railroad
signals. Repairs and replacement can cost millions of dollars.
AT&T's toll free number to call and report information about telephone
copper thefts is 1-888-871-2622.
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.