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Metal thief discussed at business meeting
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- By Kate Cole
- Sunday, July 15, 2012
- Hits: 303
Rep.Woodrow Stanley (34th District), Tim Johnson, candidate for Genesee County sheriff, and Mike Messer, MTA's advocate for its transportation millage renewal, were speakers at the East Side Business Association meeting July 11.
Stanley told the group he is working on the metal thefts that occur nationwide. He cited air conditioning units in churches in Ohio, Florida and California as targets for metal thieves as well as his church in Flint that was recently vandalized.
"I've met with our local clergy to talk about collective action to address this problem," Stanley said.
Stanley said he thought metal theft might be a national problem created by organized crime spurred by a sluggish economy. However, police say that metal theft is done independently by individuals who are looking for quick cash.
Stanley said he's looking for input from law enforcements and constituents to see how to tighten up the scrap metal business to make it more difficult for thieves while respecting the legitimate dealers.
He admitted nothing has been done legislatively since last year when the issue was discussed in the House because Republicans set the agenda. Maybe, he said, the issue would resurface during this year's lame duck session.
"When the issue is assigned to committee and a hearing has been scheduled, we want to know about it," said David Caswell, a member of the Citizen's Nuisance Task Force, a driving force in the local metal thief crackdown.
"Something has to be done to let the people who are accepting stolen metal know that they are hurting the community they are living in," said Enoch Fee.
Tim Johnson, candidate for Genesee County Sheriff recommended law enforcement be stationed undercover at the four or five scrap yards in the city.
"When someone comes in — watch. When an illegal transaction takes place, arrest both the thief and the scrap yard employee. It's a local issue," Johnson said.
Earlier Johnson told the group his qualifications for sheriff.
"I've had 30-plus years of law enforcement experience," Johnson said pointing to his work in the military and in the city including work in special operations.
"Crime in our community is out of control," Johnson said. "The county sheriff's obligation as the top law enforcement officer in the county is to be sure everyone's call for help is answered. The sheriff is mandated by the Michigan constitution to respond to calls — and it's not happening," Johnson added.
Johnson explained the sheriff has over 200 officers under his control compared to the 120 officers in the city.
"When I worked for the city I was a member of the 'cat squad,'" Johnson said. "We knew where all the hot spots were in the city. We had the crime stats then. We brought down the Cobra gang on the East Side. We don't have a shortage of officers. What we need are crime fighters out on the street."
Johnson has been operating his own security business since his retirement from the Flint Police Department.
Mike Messer, representing the Mass Transportation Authority, told the group that transportation plays a significant role in the city's economic development.
"We take people to work," Johnson said, citing the 125,000 riders transported weekly, 15,000 per week using Your Ride and a shuttle service provided to the three major colleges in the city.
Messer also commented on the new hydrogen fuel cell bus that MTA is replacing its fleet with.
"It is a more cost-effective vehicle," Messer said.
MTA is leasing the first hydrogen bus in the Midwest. It was acquired by MTA in April 2012. The bus is nearly two times more efficient than the current diesel powered buses, reduces emissions equivalent to 77 cars and reduces the carbon footprint to 33 acres of woods.
MTA is leasing the hydrogen bus for $1 and testing the vehicle on different routes.
Messer said the MTA is asking voters to renew the $2.4 million millage on the August primary ballot.
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