The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is set to take a bite out of metal theft and has joined a number of Georgia counties in initiating “Operation Scrapbuster.”
Sheriff’s office spokesman Brent Rowan said the office has combined its resources with seven middle Georgia counties to help in the fight against metal theft with the introduction of Operation Scrapbuster, a multi-jurisdictional task force created to utilize existing laws to catch metal thieves in an effort to eliminate the financial impact they have on churches, homebuilders, retail establishments and countless other victims.
Rowan said Operation Scrapbuster includes Sheriff’s Offices, District Attorneys and Probate Court Judges for Lamar, Butts, Monroe, Spalding, Pike, Upson and Fayette Counties. This seven county task force plans to use existing scrap metal laws in a four part initiative to eliminate the financial impact scrap metal theft has had on our communities.
The first part of this initiative plans to vigorously enforce an existing law which requires scrap metal dealers to register with the Probate Court in their county of business, said Rowan. Requiring local scrap metal dealers to register with the Probate Court will help task force members identify local businesses dealing in scrap metal transactions, Rowan said.
Rowan said the second part of this initiative requires any person or business removing scrap metal from the private property of another to have written authorization from the owner or tenant prior to removing any scrap metal.
Third, local law enforcement officers and sheriff deputies will take appropriate action against any violations of a current Georgia law which require that vehicles carrying loads be tied down and covered, said Rowan.
Finally, local law enforcement officers and sheriff deputies will take appropriate action against any violations of a current Georgia law which require vehicles carrying a load to place a marker on any overhanging materials that extend more than four feet on any side, Rowan said.
Rowan said Operation Scrapbuster will further utilize its combined resources to monitor local scrap yards and investigate any suspicious activity or violations of Georgia law.
The goal of Operation Scrapbuster is not to hinder those who are conducting business in a lawful manner. The task force goal is to eliminate the profit for those who steal copper and other metals and thereby protect property owners from the costly vandalism that plague so many in our communities, said Rowan.
