A multiagency task force formed to counter the theft and illegal sale of scrap metal and copper has completed its first sweep of St. Croix businesses that purchase scrap metal, according to a press release issued on Tuesday by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The Scrap Metal Task Force was recently established by Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis in response to the increasing reports of damage to homes and businesses by vandals seeking to profit from the sale of copper and other metals. The sweep of four locations of two St. Croix scrap metal operators, Francis Metal and Fernando Scrap Metal, took place on Thursday, Oct. 18, as part of a coordinated effort of the Virgin Islands Police Department, Waste Management Authority, Fire Services and the Departments of Health, Planning and Natural Resources and Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
The two businesses were found to be in violation of Fire, Health and Waste Management regulations. As a result of the sweep, Fernando Scrap Metal was completely closed down due to illegal use of electricity and violation of building codes. The Fire Department and Waste Management have also revoked their licensing from both locations of Fernando Scrap Metal.
In creating the Task Force, Lt. Gov. Francis hopes to send a strong message to the criminal community that all measures will be taken to stem the rampant theft of metal for resale.
“This vandalism throughout our community has created hardship for our home and business owners, who must now replace the items blatantly stolen from their properties for resale,” Francis stated. “By conducting regular inspections of the scrap metal collection industry, we hope to make it harder for vandals to sell stolen property and reduce this criminal activity that is negatively impacting our community.”
In addition to regular inspections for compliance with agency-specific mandates, the task force will also work to implement rules and regulations for the scrap metal industry and create procedures requiring all sellers of scrap metal to show proof of their ownership of the material being offered for resale.
Efforts are underway to do a similar initiative on St. Thomas in the near future.
