Proposed ordinance seeks to rid Metro Louisville of scrap metal theft
Councilman David James (D-6) leads effort to curb theft by improving regulation and accountability standards in scrap metal industry
Louisville – The Louisville Metro Council is taking significant steps to address the concerning problem of scrap metal theft throughout the city. In recent years, a growing number of small businesses, non-profits, and residents have reported metal as stolen. Commonly stolen items include air conditioners, gutters, piping, manhole covers, sewer grates and even cars - all taken to scrap metal buyers who pay cash for the value of the metal.
This proposed ordinance will offer tools to track scrap metal transactions and make it more difficult for a scrap metal thieves to successfully sell stolen property.
“Several fellow Councilpersons and I are working to put a stop to this kind of theft,” said Councilman David James (D-6), who is sponsoring the ordinance. “We are working with the scrap metal industry to fashion legislation that is both highly effective at stopping scrap metal theft and economically viable for their businesses.”
The Council’s action follows recent legislation passed by the Kentucky General Assembly. The proposed ordinance enhances the requirements of House Bill 390, calling for daily reporting of purchases made by scrap yards. In addition, the proposed ordinance includes:
A requirement that no vehicle may be sold to a scrap metal business without a title;
The creation of a database maintained by the Louisville Metro Police Department that will aide LMPD in their investigation of scrap metal theft;
That any vehicle used in the act of scrap metal theft be confiscated.
“Without factual information from each scrapper that details what has been received in their shop it will be nearly impossible to track criminals who take advantage of our constituents,” James said. “The proposed ordinance also requires the impoundment of vehicles used to transport stolen metals.”
Since last year, James along with Council members Tina Ward-Pugh (D-9), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13), David Yates (D-25), Marianne Butler (D-15), Kelly Downard (R-16), Jerry Miller (R-19), Kevin Kramer (D-11), Councilman Bob Henderson (D-14) and President Jim King (D-10) along with others have talked with representatives from the scrap metal industry and the law enforcement community to come up with a solution to the growing problem of metal theft.
The ordinance has been assigned to the Council’s Public Safety Committee and is scheduled to be heard next Thursday, May 17th at 3:00 pm. To read the proposed legislation, visit the Council Agenda webpage of Louisville's Metro Council and click on Public Safety committee.
The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council and District 6 Councilman David James are proud to present the 2012 Old Louisville Spring Festival, benefiting Kosair Charities and the Old Louisville neighborhood associations on Saturday May 19, 2012 from 10am to 11pm!
The SpringFest is a day-long street fair celebration of Old Louisville’s love of history, culture, diversity, food, style, family and philanthropy and will be held on the 1200 and 1300 Blocks of First Street (and one block in each direction on Ormsby) in Old Louisville, Louisville Kentucky! Some of the main highlights include:
- Kosair Charities KidsZone – to help raise funds for children in need, we’re proud to offer an entire area for the kids to learn, play and sing!
- “Parisian Flea Market” - Several local vendors and local associations will be on hand selling their unique wares and services… art, hard to find antiques, architectural remnants, fortunetelling, etc.
- Food, Food, Food! - Traditional street fair treats, a beer / wine / bourbon tent and gourmet food trucks will be there for your culinary pleasure!
- First Street Will Be Alive with the Sounds of Music! - The main stage will also present an eclectic mix of some of the top local bands from 2-11pm.
So, please plan on joining us – as an attendee or vendor - on Saturday May 19, 2012 for a day of celebration! More information on the event can be found here.
Please note the following I-65 ramp closures in planning your trips:
Several entrance ramps to I-65 near UofL’s Belknap Campus will be closed for the next few weeks as part of a repaving project on the interstate. The following ramps will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9:
Entrance ramp from Warnock Street to both n-bound and s-bound I-65
Entrance ramp from Arthur Street to s-bound I-65
Entrance ramp from Eastern Parkway to s-bound I-65
Lane closures also are possible May 8-14 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on both the northbound and southbound sides of I-65 between the Watterson Expressway and the Chestnut Street overpass.
School is out and Shakespeare is in. Camp Shakespeare is designed to combine the arts with the best parts of the summer camp experience like field trips, traditional camp songs and slogans, scavenger hunts and the opportunity to make lifelong friends!
Programs are comprised of high quality theatre instruction combined with competitions, games, and activities designed to excite our campers. This summer will include weekly field trips and will culminate in an invited performance for family and friends showcasing what our campers have been working on during their session.
Philosophy: To engage our campers in the arts, nurturing creativity, and building self-confidence in all aspects of their lives. Our hope is to instill a love of the arts in our campers, influencing future endeavors into any avenue of the arts.
The West Louisville Math and Science Project, Inc. is a community initiative to build skills in math, science and reading amongst African-American children in Louisville. Over 100 volunteers are needed for their upcoming Family Fun Math Night, a community-orientated event designed to educate students and parents in a wide variety of math concepts.
When: Saturday, July 21st from 12-2 PM
Where: St. Stephen Family Life Center Gyms (1508 West Kentucky Street 40210)
To volunteer, please contact Eboni Neal Cochran at 502-551-4734 or wlmathandscience@gmail.com . No need to be a math genius, just bring your desire to help children build confidence and have fun!
Congratulations to Freedom Metals, located in District Six at 1225 S. 15th St, for being named to the "Inner City 100", a list of the fastest-growing inner-city companies in the United States compiled by Fortune magazine and The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. Bruce Blue, CEO of Freedom Metals, and Councilman James are pictured below.
The Inner City 100 is a ranking of the fastest-growing companies located in America’s inner cities. The program spotlights and supports growing companies in urban areas. Its successes have inspired political and business leaders, academics and the media. The program has led to innovative investment programs, helped blaze a path for other inner city entrepreneurs, and provided enormous stimulus for change in local communities.
Councilman James joined fellow Councilpersons Tandy (D-4) and Scott (D-1) and many more Louisvillians to celebrate the life and career of Muhammad Ali at the Ali Marker Dedication this past Tuesday (below).
Preservation Fest is a free, interactive event designed to help participants learn to maintain and restore their older home or commercial building. Activities will include educational sessions and workshops with knowledgeable guest speakers, and a Vendor’s Fair to introduce participants to appropriate products and services. For more information, contact our office at 574-1106.
When: Saturday, May 12th from 1-4pm
Where: Central Presbyterian Church (corner of 4th and KY streets in historic Old Louisville)
Presented by: Preservation Louisville, Inc.
Sponsored by: Sherwin-Williams, The Door Store
Plan to attend if you:
-- own an older or historic home or commercial building and need professional advice about a variety of rehabilitation topics, including window repair, door repair, weatherization, painting, color selection, plumbing, roofing, brick paving and more
-- are interested in learning about new techniques and methods for utilizing “green” technology in older buildings, or other environmental issues such as managing storm water
-- have or plan to invest in an older building but unsure where to begin researching tax credits for rehabilitation and other incentives, what it means to live in a historic district, how to navigate local codes, or where to find other helpful resources
Click on the Facebook icon at the bottom of this newsletter to follow Councilman James’ new Facebook page
Visit http://mapit.louisvilleky.gov/ and type in your address to find out when your junk pick-up date is as well as street cleanings and additional information.
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