ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and the Interim Chief of Police with a Request to Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 18 of the Code of the City of Peoria Regarding the Regulation of RECYCLABLE METALS DEALERS.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Peoria experiences over 1,000 burglaries per year and over 2,500 thefts of property. These crimes have a negative impact in both our business and residential communities and detract from the community's perception of safety and quality of life. Many of these burglaries and thefts involve the theft of copper wire, copper alloys and air conditioner parts. As of July 2014, approximately $547,112.65 in stolen copper and AC parts have been reported to the Peoria Police Department (see attachment A). In an effort to apprehend those responsible for these crimes, the Police Department began subscribing to the metal theft portion of Leads Online, a national database used to locate and recover stolen property. With the use of this database, detectives are able to identify people who are scrapping large amounts of copper and AC parts at the point of sale, but the effectiveness of this property tracking tool is dependent upon recyclable metal dealers entering incoming scrap metal into the online system. Currently, participation in Leads Online by recyclable metal dealers has been voluntary and one of the primary reasons for the creation of this ordinance is to require all recyclable metal dealers to record their incoming property directly into the Leads Online database. The new ordinance is consistent with what the State of Illinois already requires of recyclable metals dealers (see attachment B), but specifies the use of Leads Online (see attachment C for actual Ordinance). Dealers are provided with the necessary cameras, hardware, and software at no cost.
In addition to the Leads Online requirement, this new ordinance:
· Requires the recyclable metal dealers to apply for a $150.00 license.
· Creates a $100.00 fine for violation of the ordinance.
· Requires the recyclable metal dealers to carry a $1,000.00 bond with the City.
· Creates a provision enabling the City to revoke or suspend a metal recycler license for not adhering to the ordinance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The creation of a license fee will help to recover the costs of policing recyclable metal dealer operations in the City; specifically it will offset the cost of Leads Online.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The expanded required use of Leads Online, as well as the establishment of a specific license will result in a greater likelihood that the Police Department will be able to identify those who are scraping large quantities of scrap metal. By identifying these individuals, there is a greater likelihood stolen property will be recovered and arrests of suspects will be made resulting in a reduction in property crimes and an increase in the quality of life in the community.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Increase in recovered stolen property, increased ability to identify suspects involved in property crimes, and potentially a resultant decrease in property crime due to a higher degree of difficulty in recycling stolen goods.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Will continue to follow State of Illinois Statute, which is not strictly enforced by the State of Illinois, thus allowing the recyclable metal dealers to operate without much oversight of their operations. The Police Department will not be as efficient at identifying people who are recycling large amounts of recyclable material that is possibly stolen.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
2. Grow employers and jobs.
3. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Police