Issue | Background | Findings | Conclusions | Recommendations | Responses | Attachments Pilfering of Curbside

Additional Recommendations 3

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

• R1
  Educating residents about the causal relationship of pilfering to garbage collection rates.
• R3
  Negotiating contracts with waste management companies that encourage and reward their active participation in the reduction in curbside pilfering.
• R4
  Requesting that existing waste management companies include in the mailings it sends to customers the following information: i. Curbside pilfering of recyclables is illegal. ii. If seen, curbside pilfering should be reported to the police. No response is required to this report. Attachment 1 From: Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 10:00 AM To: John Boyle Cc: [email protected] Subject: Curbside recycling theft John, I bring this issue to you attention as a member of the Menlo Park City Council. Last night after I my garbage, green waste and recycling was moved to the curbside I noticed someone rummaging through the recycling. This individual was taking all the aluminum cans. I confronted him and told him to return the cans. He did so then moved down the street, San Mateo Drive. Thinking that there was an ordinance that criminalized this kind of behavior, I called the MP Police and made a report. The dispatcher said that they would send personnel and assumed this was the end of the issue. Later that evening (after dark) I returned to the curb and found that the individual must have returned because all of the aluminum cans, which had been replaced, were now gone. Later when my wife returned I recounted the evening's event and her reaction gave me a different perspective. Her concern was not for the material that was taken, but was a concern over neighborhood safety and possibly having these individuals in our backyard (as commodity prices continue to increase). My sensitivity to these kind of thefts has increased this last year as a result of a project that I am working on in San Leandro (the conversion of a dormant Kelloggs factory) and the weekly thefts of copper electrical components (totaling $80K or better). I called Chad Wilson, general manager at Allied Waste, and had a lengthy discussion. He is well aware of the problem and said that their return on recycling has an impact on customer rates, greater theft, and higher rates. I asked him if procedures could be modified on recycling pick-ups so that it would not be necessary to put recycling at curbside the evening before pick-up (perhaps a later pick-up schedule). He seemed interested and said that he would bring the matter to the attention of management. He added that many communities do not have ordinances that make the unauthorized removal or theft of recycling a crime. In a brief call to the police dispatcher this morning I found out the Menlo Park is one of those communities. The dispatcher added that she believed that this was because the San Mateo County District Attorney did not want to prosecute for recycling theft. I think that something needs to be done to make it more difficult to steal recycling (AW pick-up procedures), or some penalty or fine for those caught taking this material. I think that you are aware of my aversion to needless municipal ordinances, but this is an issue that I think needs to be looked at not just because of the theft issue (and economic impact on AW rates) but because it brings a element into the neighborhood that does not belong there. Attachment 2 [email protected], Thu Oct 9, 2008 8:29 pm Neighbors, Due to the sharp increase in people coming through the neighborhood collecting recyclables, I would like to make a request of those who are able to *please put out your recyclables in the morning, rather than at night*. Last night saw FOUR separate crews come through (that's right - 4) our neighborhood - it truly was ridiculous. The frequency has been on a steady rise for a couple months now. Although this is technically illegal activity, asking police to do something about this is futile. BUT, if the supply goes down, surely the visitors will eventually move on. And at a time when we already have people treating the Willows as their #1 destination for robberies, thefts, shootings, etc. surely we do not need more unwanted visitors. Please help if you can - *put out your recyclables in the morning*. It may be a small thing, but don't you think we need all the help we can get to stop the constant flow of theft in the neighborhood? Attachment 3 Prevent Theft of Recyclables (police page), http://www.citymb.info/Index.aspx?page=1555 Jail and Fines Proposed for Theft of Recyclables, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/25recyclewe.html?fta=y Theft of Recyclables an Ongoing Problem http://www.cityofnapa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=602&Itemid =3 Scavenging – and theft of recyclables – on rise, http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080920/news_1n20scavenge.html Theft of Curbside Recyclables Increasing, http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/37676 San Francisco Safe, Paragraph 4, http://www.sfsafe.org/3n_news.html Legislation to Tackle Curbside Recycling and Newspaper Theft Clears Senate Floor, http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/72089 8 Assembly Bill 1778 Press Release http://aan.org/news/california_bill_to_fight_newspaper_theft_passes_senate/Aan/ViewAr ticle?oid=500326 Attachment 4 http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/10702/ Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation Combating Metal Theft In response to the increasing rate of metal theft throughout California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a package of bills providing law enforcement with new tools to combat metal thieves stealing scrap metals from fire hydrants, utilities, manhole covers, agricultural equipment, guardrails and much more. "Not only are these crimes destroying property and causing millions of dollars in damages, they are endangering lives." Governor Schwarzenegger said. "We must put a stop to these growing crimes and this package of bills will provide law enforcement with the tools they need to put these thieves behind bars." The market value of both copper and aluminum significantly increased from 2004 to 2005, driving a sharp increase in incidents of metal theft in California. According to the California Farming Bureau, over $6 million worth of metal was reported stolen throughout the Central Valley in 2006 alone. Metal theft has created serious impacts in all parts of the state: Central Valley farmers have lost crops due to irrigation pumps being stripped of wiring, a toxic chemical spill in San Pablo Bay was the result of a $10 brass valve being stolen from a storage tank and a home burnt to the ground in the city of Hesperia because the fire department was not able to connect to the fire hydrant to put out the fire. To provide law enforcement with better tools to investigate and prosecute metal theft, the Governor signed the following bills: • AB 844 by Assembly member Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) puts an end to a pattern of quick cash for metal thieves by requiring recyclers to hold payment for three days, check a photo ID and take a thumbprint of anyone selling scrap metals. It also requires anyone convicted of metal theft to pay restitution for the materials stolen and for any collateral damage caused during the theft. • SB 691 by Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) requires recyclers to take thumbprints of individuals selling copper, copper alloys, aluminum and stainless steal. Sellers must also show a government ID and proof of their current address. Recyclers who break the law face suspension or revocation of their business license and increased fines and jail time. • AB 1859 by Assembly member Anthony Adams (R-Hesperia) discourages the theft of fire hydrant fittings and fire department connections by creating a fine of not more than $3,000 for any person who knowingly receives any part of a fire hydrant, including bronze or brass fittings and parts. 9 • SB 447 by Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) assists local law enforcement officials in quickly investigating stolen metal and apprehending thieves by requiring scrap metal dealers and recyclers to report what materials are being scraped at their facilities and by whom on a daily basis. These rules already apply to pawn shop dealers. The Governor also signed AB 1778 by Assembly member Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) to deter the theft of recyclables by requiring recyclers to obtain identifying information of individuals who bring in more than $50 worth of CRV recyclables and newspapers. It also requires that payments of $50 or more be made by check. 10