Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott is proud of the work the Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Recyclers, Lawmakers and the Community are doing collectively to reduce crime.

In August 2011, the new copper theft prevention bill was signed into law and placed new requirements on anyone who wants to sell copper or other non-ferrous metals to a recycler. The Sheriff stated that in the six weeks, that the law has been in effect, the cooperation and law has made a significant impact on crime.

Sheriff Lott stated that 2700 permits (850, 48 hour and 1850, year long) have been issued in six weeks and a reduction in reported thefts has occurred {65 in August 2010/57 in September 2010 to 48 in August 2011/36 in September 2011}. For example, in September we went one complete week with no reported thefts -- the Sheriff is attributing the reduction to the collaborative effort of the Department, Recyclers, Legislators and Community.

Copper theft has increased drastically over the last several years and has impacted so many in our community. This copper theft prevention law and cooperation has helped reduce the victimization in our neighborhoods. The Sheriff added that until we have zero copper thefts we still have a lot of work to do; but these efforts are a start toward improving the quality of life in our communities