Metal Recyclers Upset Over Sacramento's Proposed Copper Crackdown

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — After rampant copper theft from stoplights and streetlights in the city, the Sacramento City Council is considering controversial new rules to crack down on crooks.

Thousands of pounds of copper wire come through Kevin Luong's recycling business each month.

"Anybody that has scrap wire can bring it in and sell it," he said.

He says his shop already does everything it can to discourage copper theft.

"Every single item that is brought in here, we have videos and pictures," he said. "So if you are a thief you are not going to come here."

Each customer is also fingerprinted and must wait three days to get their cash.

But Sacramento Police Sgt. Doug Morse says that's not enough.

"Hopefully we're going to decrease the desire for those that want to steal copper in this area," he said.

Thieves stripping wire from Sacramento stoplights and streetlights have caused nearly $2 million in damage. That's why officers are asking city leaders to approve new rules for recycling businesses.

It would require mandatory background checks for employees, limiting the purchase of wires that have insulation peeled off, and requiring businesses to get new licenses that could be revoked if they're caught buying stolen metal.

"If they have nowhere to sell it, they're likely not to steal it," Morse said.

"I think that's a little too much," Luong said.

He doesn't want police punishing businesses that are already on the lookout for stolen stuff.

"Stolen material are going to find its way somewhere somehow, and as business people we just got to do our job to identify them," he said.

But police say the continuing copper theft problem proves more need to be done.

"This is just another step towards decreasing metal theft in this area," Morse said.