Sheriff Berry Tells Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors There is a Metal Theft 'Crisis'

"Metal theft continues to be a prevalent problem across the state."

That's what Oconee County Chief Deputy Lee Weems on Oconee Patch last month.

It's the same message brought to the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors when asked to give a presentation on the subject at the end of September.

Tougher state legislation better regulating the sale and transport of nonferrous metals would help curb the metal theft "crisis," the Georgia Farm Bureau reported Berry said at the meeting.  It's an issue the Georgia General Assembly may take up next year, he added.

Berry went on to say that a statewide electronic database of sellers' information and a requirement that permits for the transport of more than 10 pounds be issued by local Sheriff's Offices --pending criminal background checks-- would also thwart the crime.

Berry's was the second of two presentations about the impacts of metal theft heard by the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors in the last couple of months.

Read what the president of the Georgia Recyclers Association had to say in July about what property owners can do to protect themselves.

Have you been the victim of metal theft? Has it happened to someone you know?