On Wednesday, September 15, 2010, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office hosted an information seminar at CCSO’s administrative complex. The seminar was focused on the businesses of secondary metals recyclers and salvage dealers. Detective Calvin Fenner of CCSO coordinated the seminar to bring together local businesses and law enforcement.
This seminar was the first of it’s of kind in the State of Florida. Law enforcement throughout the State has seen a rise in the theft of copper and other metals. The stolen metals are often taken to secondary metals recyclers and salvage dealers to be turned in for cash. The information provided at this seminar will help the business operators identify what property may be stolen and to correctly document who is bringing in the material. The documentation of sellers will greatly assist law enforcement in identifying those that may be involved in criminal activity. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is confident that more stolen property will be recovered for the crime victim and that the criminal element will think twice about trying to sell stolen material knowing they are being documented.
Due to recent changes in Florida laws, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office wants to ensure that the local secondary metals recyclers and salvage dealers are operating in compliance with State Statutes and to also establish an open line of communication between them and law enforcement.
The seminar was attended by law enforcement officers from across the State of Florida. Representatives from the FL Dept of Motor Vehicles, the FL Dept of Revenue and the Tax Collectors Office presented information to the seminar attendees of business owners and law enforcement.
In partnering with our local business owners and operators, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will be able to efficiently identify and track potential stolen property that is turned in to be salvaged. The Sheriff’s Office will also be an information source for the secondary metals recyclers and salvage dealers should they have any questions about compliance issues with their business.
