To combat a trend in theft of air conditioning units, copper wiring from homes and other items, a metal task force was formed between Lee County, Fort Myers and Cape Coral police departments over the summer. Now, the task force is proposing several changes to local laws regarding metal sales. Current county law says scrap metal companies must get a copy of the seller's driver's license or valid ID, a thumb print, information about the make and model of the car as well as license plate number of the vehicle used to transport the metal. A new ordinance has been proposed by the task force which could require sellers to prove ownership of one of 20 or so targeted items. Cash transactions would not be allowed on those items and payment could be delayed until the scrapped part is correctly identified. Lexey Swall/Staff

Photo by LEXEY SWALL

To combat a trend in theft of air conditioning units, copper wiring from homes and other items, a metal task force was formed between Lee County, Fort Myers and Cape Coral police departments over the summer. Now, the task force is proposing several changes to local laws regarding metal sales. Current county law says scrap metal companies must get a copy of the seller's driver's license or valid ID, a thumb print, information about the make and model of the car as well as license plate number of the vehicle used to transport the metal. A new ordinance has been proposed by the task force which could require sellers to prove ownership of one of 20 or so targeted items. Cash transactions would not be allowed on those items and payment could be delayed until the scrapped part is correctly identified. Lexey Swall/Staff

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