The Rising Threat Of Metal Theft Continues To Plague Cities While Powerful Special Interests Work Against Local Control In The Fight To Stop It
The following is a guest editorial by Assemblyman Tom Berryhill.
There are few cities in California who haven’t been dealing with the issue of metal theft. Schools have been hit, utilities have had their lines stripped, and manhole covers are being stolen. Fire hydrants are rendered useless when thieves steal the brass couplings and firefighters are unable to connect during emergency calls. These thefts are costly in terms of replacement and staff time committed to replacing these items.
My staff and I have been working on this issue literally since I was sworn into office. Our efforts to deter metal thefts by banning cash payments and requiring documentation of transactions while still allowing local governments to pass ordinances to meet their local needs have been opposed by the powerful recycling lobby.
In the meantime, there are many local governments who have done an admirable job of passing strong ordinances which are working well at the local level to help address metal theft. Unfortunately, the recycler lobby is pushing to have all local ordinances preempted and replaced with weaker state law – a direct assault on local control and cities abilities to determine their best solution to this growing problem.
AB 844 will require recyclers to adhere to the following:
- Pay by check with a 3 day hold.
- Government issued photo ID required.
- Photo of materials required.
- Transactions under $10 are exempted.
- Local ordinances are protected.
- Current penalties are left intact.
- Restitution including collateral damage to victims by those convicted of metal theft.


