Construction Industry Crime Prevention Program

Study Calls for Closer Cooperation to Reduce Metals Thefts

Monday, 01 February 2010 10:03

ISRI Members at the Forefront of Cooperative Efforts to Combat Thefts

ISRI agrees with the key findings of "Scrap Yards and Metal Theft Insurance Claims in 51 U.S. Cities," by Dr. Kevin Whiteacre of the University of Indianapolis. These key findings include the statement that metals theft provides "an excellent opportunity for cooperation between law enforcement and scrapyard operators to work together to reduce purchases of stolen metals and maintain the integrity of the scrap market. ISRI is only disappointed that this key finding is buried at the end of the Discussion Section of the study, where it may be overlooked.

"ISRI has been promoting cooperative relationships with law enforcement agencies for many years," stated Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. "One of the many strong points of this research is that it does not seek to place blame. Instead, it provides hard data to suggest that the scrap recycling industry both provides an excellent source of information for law enforcement through cooperative relationships and the scrap industry should accept that responsibility. ISRI's work on the metal theft issue strongly tracks that same conclusion."

In 2006, ISRI published a document for the scrap recycling industry entitled "Recommended Practices and Procedures for Minimizing the Risks of Purchasing Stolen Scrap Materials." Mirroring Dr. Whiteacre's research, the paper calls on recyclers to open lines of communication with law enforcement to work cooperatively in addressing theft issues. The document was revised in 2008 to include other nonmetallic items that have been the target of thieves. The paper is available at www.isri.org/theft.

"Dr. Whiteacre's research statistically confirming a relationship between the presence of scrap yards and the metal theft rate is the first solid data available pointing to the scrap industry's role as a stakeholder in curbing metal theft crime," Wiener said.

"Dr. Whiteacre's research does not seek to place blame or cast aspersion," she continued. "Instead, it provides hard data to suggest that the scrap recycling industry both provides an excellent source of information for law enforcement through cooperative relationships and that the scrap industry should accept that responsibility. ISRI's work strongly tracks that same conclusion.”

The research, which was made available to ISRI in draft form, notes that a correlation between the number of scrap yards and the level of metal theft crime does not necessarily mean causation of the crime. "The paper further points to many theft prevention efforts by ISRI and its members as examples of ways recyclers can and do work with other stakeholders, specifically highlighting www.ScrapTheftAlert.com and information available at www.isri.org/theft,” Wiener stated.

ISRI's www.ScrapTheftAlert.com system, as noted in the study, allows law enforcement to notify scrap yards when metal theft is reported, allowing scarp yards to "be on the lookout" for stolen materials. The system has proven to be effective in catching thieves bringing in stolen materials, as well as retrieving and returning those materials to their rightful owners. The system also allows "reverse alerts" where scrap recyclers can notify local law enforcement agencies when they see "suspicious" materials coming into their yards. Many scrap recycling facilities also require photo identification for every retail transaction, including scanning the driver's license, taking photos of the material, and recording the licence plate of the vehicle bringing in materials to the yards. Records of these transactions are maintained electronically along with the invoice of the sale. Scrap recyclers also make these records available to police when needed.

To enhance the effectiveness of the industry's cooperation with law enforcement, ISRI has also hired a former police officer involved in investigating metal thefts as its official liaison with law enforcement agencies. Gary Bush, formerly a metal theft investigator and detective with the Ocala, Fla. Sheriff's Department, is working closely with law enforcement agencies and their state and national associations to foster even closer working relationships with the scrap recycling industry to combat metal thefts.

"ISRI applauds Dr. Whiteacre's work providing hard data that can help all stakeholders take substantive action to control a crime that harms our industry, our communities, and our economy," Wiener concluded.

Hackers target power plants, other infrastructure

Monday, 01 February 2010 09:52

More than half the operators of power plants and other critical infrastructure say in a new study that their computer networks have been infiltrated by sophisticated adversaries.

In many cases, foreign governments are suspected.

CICP pays $1,000.00 reward to tipster who helped R L Brosamer.

Friday, 30 October 2009 10:06

CICP pays $1,000.00 reward to sub-contractor tipster who helped R L Brosamer recover over $100,000.00 in stolen materials.

Carlos Rodriguez, owner of a sub-contractor who does work for R L Brosamer was paid a $1,000.00 reward for his efforts in recovering over $100,000.00 worth of materials which were stolen earlier in the year.

Carlos went to numerous scrap dealers in the Southern CA upon learning of the theft, eventually locating the material, and leading Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies to the suspect, who was arrested and later convicted on Felony theft charges.

His efforts were in keeping with the goals and ideals of CICP and along with a very thankful R L Brosamer, we applaud his efforts.

CICP's program works! Click here to find out how!

CICP Pays Reward to Tipster

Friday, 23 October 2009 09:21

CICP Pays Reward to Tipster in Stanford Pacific Theft Case:

In late September of 2009, CICP paid out a $500.00 reward to a tipster who's information led to the arrest of three juvenile suspects who took several thousand dollars worth of construction materials from a jobsite in Rocklin CA. The tipster wished to remain anonymous, but the information given to CICP via the hotline led to the arrest and recovery within just a few hours, and save the contractor from a fairly substantial loss.

 Another great example of the success and importance of this program!