By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-586102.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo's top cop says he wants to crack down on the stripping and selling of scrap metals. This is in response to a recent rash of burglaries in the City.
A new kind of crime is on the rise in Buffalo. Thieves are breaking into homes and ripping out copper piping, aluminum heating ducts or even stealing hot water tanks. Those metals are selling for a high price on the market.
But Police Commissioner McCarthy Gipson says the police department is working on a strategy to prevent the thefts. Gipson says already in the city's C-District, were there are a number of scrap yards, police chief Marsha Scott has taken action by talking to scrap yard dealers. Gipson says the department is also working to develop other procedures and tactics to prevent scrap metal thieves from quickly selling the metals.
Gipson suggested that the Buffalo Common Council create a city ordinance that would deal with the issue. But Ellicott District lawmaker Brian Davis informed the commissioner that there is already a law that requires scrap dealers to take identification when buying items. Davis also noted that the Common Council recently adopted a bill that addresses the issue.
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