Tennessee joins scrap metal theft task force

Tennessee joins scrap metal theft task force
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The State of Tennessee has joined three other states in a multi-state task force created to combat the theft of farming equipment. Other members of the task force are Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

The task force, initiated by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office in April 2016, links law enforcement, scrap metal yards, farmers and other interested parties in order to detect stolen items early, develop leads and successfully prosecute theft.

“The theft of property from the constituents of any of our partner states impacts the entire region,” says Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “By adding Tennessee to this Task Force, states can more effectively combat agricultural theft and help protect consumers. Tennessee is honored to participate in this multi-state effort.”

Jai Templeton, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, says, “I appreciate the efforts of the Agricultural Theft Task Force to protect the agricultural and forestry communities’ assets. This partnership will allow for a swift response across state lines and create the best opportunity for recovery and justice.”

An early alert system administered by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office is one of the Task Force’s primary benefits. The alert system is used in conjunction with LeadsOnline subscribers to connect law enforcement, farming interests and scrap metal yards.

Law enforcement in Mississippi are provided access to the scrap metal component of LeadsOnline, an online investigation system, at no charge. More than 30,000 businesses nationwide, including scrap metal dealers, report transactions electronically via LeadsOnline.

“Communication and shared resources across state lines is the key to reducing these kinds of crimes, which can have a lasting negative impact on the agricultural businesses we all rely on,” says Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “Adding Tennessee increases our collective ability to act fast when a crime has been committed and deter, prevent, and prosecute future incidents.”

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Source: Recycling Today
Tennessee joins scrap metal theft task force
<![CDATA[The State of Tennessee has joined three other states in a multi-state task force created to combat the theft of farming equipment. Other members of the task force are Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. The task force, initiated by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office in April 2016, links law enforcement, scrap metal yards, farmers and other interested parties in order to detect stolen items early, develop leads and successfully prosecute theft. “The theft of property from the constituents of any of our partner states impacts the entire region,” says Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “By adding Tennessee to this Task Force, states can more effectively combat agricultural theft and help protect consumers. Tennessee is honored to participate in this multi-state effort.” Jai Templeton, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, says, “I appreciate the efforts of the Agricultural Theft Task Force to protect the agricultural and forestry communities’ assets. This partnership will allow for a swift response across state lines and create the best opportunity for recovery and justice.” An early alert system administered by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office is one of the Task Force’s primary benefits. The alert system is used in…