Field Guide to Construction Materials Theft
(Updated October 2009)
Thieves are stealing copper piping, wire and other construction materials from homes and building sites. Learn how state governments are fighting this fast-growing crime and read about the impact on homeowners, business owners, cities and the economy in this Field Guide. (A. Siudzinski, Senior Information Specialist)
Construction Materials Theft 
Fewer projects mean less theft from home builders, (St. Louis Business Journal, Jan. 30, 2009).
How criminal recycling works, (www.howstuffworks, 2008).
Copper theft on the rise, (Security World News, Sept. 20, 2008).
Boom time for job site thieves, (New York Times, Aug. 28, 2008).
Can copper theft be prevented?, (Security, June 2008). Q
Coppers and robbers, (Time, June 12, 2008).
Legislation
Secondary Metal Theft Protection Act of 2009 (Introduced in the Senate), (thomas.loc.gov, Feb. 11, 2009).
Governor Schwarzenegger signs legislation combating metal theft, (Office of the Governor (California), Sept. 30, 2008).
State copper and scrap metal theft statutes, (National Conference of State Legislatures, July 2008).
States act as copper thefts continue to plague builders, (Nation's Building News, June 16, 2008).
New metal theft law effective Wednesday, (The Business Journal of Milwaukee, Mar. 25, 2008).
Impact of Construction Materials Theft
Victims speak out as metal theft crackdown sweeps nation, (Popular Mechanics, Oct. 6, 2008).
Copper theft devaluing real estate from coast to coast, (ActiveRain, Feb. 10, 2008).
Copper and other metal thefts could weaken homeland and domestic security infrastructures, (In Homeland Security, Jan. 17, 2008).
Websites
Coalition Against Copper Theft, (www.coppercoalition.com, 2008).
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Materials Theft, (www.irsi.org, n.d.).
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Crime Victim's Guide to Justice (Adobe eReader)
Barry's Introduction to the Construction of Buildings (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Spotlight on security for real estate managers, (Chicago, IL: Institute of Real Estate Managers, 1997).
Field Guides & More
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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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