Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Security Newswire

Tenn. Illegal Scrap Metal Ordinance Ineffective

New Newswire Feature Image 3/8/2012
April 26, 2012

Despite both a Tennessee state law and a Memphis city ordinance, there hasn't been a single prosecution in Shelby County for selling or buying prohibited scrap metal since 2009, according to a report from WMC TV.

The result, according to property owners and managers, is that thieves continue to destroy thousands of dollars a year in air conditioning units and condensers to strip them of copper tubing and coils. 

Mike Warr, executive vice president of Porter-Leath, a Memphis resource for at-risk children, showed the reporters one of 19 air conditioning units stripped off the roof of Porter-Leath's Head Start school in Memphis. 

"They bring their tools, snip and cut," he said. "$196,000 in damages. Had to shut down the school for a week. 260 kids."

Bill Kenner, pricipal broker of Prime Properties, an agency that owns and manages 40 Memphis rental properties, lost eight air conditioning units in a year — not just the copper, but the whole unit. Each cost him $1,200 to replace, he said.

In 2007, the Memphis City Council passed an ordinance to curb the sale of prohibited scrap metal, mostly copper tubing and air conditioning coils. The ordinance requires legitimate scrap metal sellers to be licensed, keep a buyer's log and invoke a 10-day waiting period on sales to allow for monitoring by law enforcement, a procedure called "tag-and-hold." 

This ordinance mirrors a Tennessee statute that declares the sale of prohibited scrap metal a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and up to a $250,000 fine, the report says. 

Records requests, however, revealed that despite thousands of thefts, burglaries and vandalism cases since the ordinance's inception, the county has not prosecuted a single violator of the ordinance or statute in three years. 

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich defends the records, saying that "If we're not seeing any of the cases, then, obviously there just aren't cases being made that fit that ordinance. However, that doesn't mean there isn't prosecution of those who steal scrap metal." 

The county's database doesn't break down the "tens of thousands" of theft, burglary, aggravated burglary and vandalism cases in a way that can separate the ones involving scrap metal, Weirich said.

Both law enforcement and licensed scrap dealers say that the real problem is thieves and unlicensed scrap metal sellers who smuggle the stolen property into Arkansas to sell it. Arkansas has neither a state law or any city ordinances to restrict scrap metal sales, according to WMC TV. 

KEYWORDS: copper theft scrap metal dealer

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Logical Security
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Red spiderweb

From Retail to Insurance, Scattered Spider Changes Targets

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Old Newswire Feature Image

    Cincinnati Considers Ordinance to Prevent Scrap Metal Theft

    See More
  • Security Newswire

    City Worker Accused of Stealing Scrap Metal

    See More
  • Blog Logo

    Stolen Ambulances Sold for Scrap Points to More Regulation

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 150 things.jpg

    Physical Security: 150 Things You Should Know 2nd Edition

  • 150 things.jpg

    The Handbook for School Safety and Security

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing