ISRI introduces video designed to help local law enforcement address metal theft

As part of what the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) describes as a “continued and comprehensive effort to fight the crime of metals theft across the country,” the association has released a video, “Fighting Metals Theft: Perspectives from Law Enforcement and Industry,” aimed at helping local law enforcement address the issue.

Washington-based ISRI, the Voice of the Recycling Industry™, with assistance of the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), produced the video under the guidance of ISRI’s Law Enforcement Advisory Council. The council is a select group of experienced law enforcement officers, prosecutors and security personnel with an understanding of the metals theft issue.

The video features interviews with law enforcement leaders and recycling industry experts. It also takes a close look at the success the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland has had in fighting metals theft through the creation of a centralized unit.

“Metals theft is a very serious crime that often goes beyond just property damage,” says Brady Mills, director of law enforcement outreach for ISRI. “It is certainly not a victimless crime.”

He continues, “To effectively fight metals theft, cooperation and communication is needed among all stakeholders in the community. Where we have seen the most success is where recyclers and law enforcement work together. This video was developed to strengthen that bond and serve as a tool for law enforcement executives in the ongoing fight against this crime.”

The video focuses on the importance of recognizing the dangers associated with metals theft and how local law enforcement agencies, using the Anne Arundel County Police Department as an example, can use existing resources to combat the crime through concentrated efforts.

“Although metals theft is perceived as a small problem, it actually poses a very large threat to public safety,” says NSA President Danny Glick, Laramie County, Wyoming, Sheriff. “It not only threatens the U.S. critical infrastructure, but it can also result in the loss of lives.”

Glick adds, “NSA supports aggressive enforcement and investigation to counteract this increasing trend.”

IACP First Vice President Terrence Cunningham, chief of police for the Wellesley (Massachusetts) Police Department, says, “A recent game changer for law enforcement has been the precipitous increase in the number of metal thefts across the country. This important video brings awareness to the issue and the steps law enforcement can take to combat this growing and serious problem.”

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare says, “In a free society, police departments exist to work in partnerships to sustain viable communities, and the metals theft problem makes that harder everywhere. The Anne Arundel County Police Department is and will continue to dedicate whatever resources necessary to combat this issue.”

The video will be distributed to law enforcement across the United States through the the IACP and NSA, as well as through social media.

More information, along with resources for law enforcement and prosecutors, can be found at www.StopMetalsTheft.org.