The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 8/7/8
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said Senate Bill 2006 has the ability to slow metal theft in Mississippi, but everyone will have to get on board to make it work.
Hosemann spoke to more than two dozen law enforcement personnel, state representatives and media at Tupelo City Hall on Wednesday about a plan to curb the “massive metal epidemic plaguing our state.”
“Copper theft harms every citizen in the state,” said Hosemann. “It raises insurance costs and costs counties millions of dollars. It fuels drug issues because people are using the money from the stolen metals to buy drugs, so this is a problem that has to be taken care of.”
Hosemann said Bill 2006, which was passed during the recent special session, requires metal dealers to register with the state and to collect personal data from people selling metals. Dealers who don’t comply with the bill can be fined or put in jail.
Magnolia Tribune
