Missouri Governor Blunt Seeks Solutions to Stop Copper Theft

Commends Senators For Holding Community Meetings

November 19, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is seeking solutions to stop the theft of copper in Missouri which is hurting Missouri consumers, farmers, business owners and utilities. The governor is urging input from the public on ways to curb copper theft and today he sent a letter to Missouri state senators commending them for scheduling community meetings across the state on the issue.

“Copper theft is a growing nuisance in many parts of our state,” Gov. Blunt said. “I have been discussing with members of the legislature ways we can take action to curb copper theft in their districts and lessen the impact these crimes are having on Missouri consumers, farmers, developers, and utilities. Vandals, generally motivated by methamphetamine addiction, raid farms, construction sites, and even utilities of this increasingly valuable element creating public safety hazards, production and development losses, and increased costs for consumers. We are seeking input from communities across the state to find solutions to this problem and I commend these state senators for taking action.”

The community meeting times and locations will be announced in the coming days.

Gov. Blunt asked the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to compile statistics on Missouri locations where copper theft is occurring most frequently. Based on preliminary information, the governor encouraged Senators Dempsey, Mayer and Ridgeway to host community meetings in their respective districts in order to learn more from Missourians impacted by these crimes.

The governor is urging the senators to reach out to local elected officials, community leaders, businesses, farmers, developers, and others who may have information on copper theft with the goal of producing recommendations to bring about legal and administrative changes to combat this growing problem for Missourians. Blunt also directed the Missouri Department of Agriculture to participate in the community outreach effort.

Last month Blunt praised the work of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the local law enforcement community involved in aggressive actions to stop copper thefts. He also lauded the support of the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) that provided information bulletins including pictures of vehicles, descriptions of stolen property and video footage that ultimately led to one criminal’s arrest.

In the most recent case criminals stole several spools of copper wire with an estimated value of $32,000 from an electric cooperative.

Source: Missouri Governor

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