FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:40pm
(Ottawa)—An Ottawa Police sting operation involving metal recyclers in 2013 led to a community partnership that resulted in a significant decrease of metal thefts and approximately $4M dollars in cost savings for local businesses in Ottawa in 2014.
In December 2013, Ottawa Police East District Investigators were made aware of several stolen manhole covers across the City. Several suspects were identified, arrested, prosecuted and convicted. However, incidents of manhole cover thefts continued. While copper thefts were frequent across North America; further investigation revealed a larger criminal trend involving the theft of all types of metal.
“Ottawa investigators collected intelligence from many sources and determined the three local recyclers were directly involved in facilitating payment for stolen metals,” said Ottawa Police Sgt. Eric Beaurivage. “It was discovered that the management of these facilities had poor or no crime prevention system in place. They were basically paying any person who brought them in any kind of metal without ever asking questions about the source of the metal or the identity of the person supplying the material.
Ottawa Police proactively met with the management of the three recycling facilities in order to engage them and to build an action plan to implement a theft deterrent program at their facilities. The plan was devised with AIM (who recently took over ArcelorMittal) and Palmer’s—with Managers Tyler Griesseier of AIM and Brian Cassell of Palmer's fully collaborating with police. Signs were placed strategically outside each facility and a detailed registry is now kept in order to record the identity of the clients they serve.
Reports of thefts of manhole covers by the City and grocery carts by Ottawa businesses were used to monitor the impact of the new measures implemented by the recyclers. The results were immediate and positive.
“In 2014, the City observed an impressive 75% reduction in manhole cover thefts resulting in direct savings of $70,000 dollars,” said Rick Trahan, Supervisor of sewer maintenance with the City of Ottawa.
“The local 12 Walmarts experienced a 75% reduction in the theft of grocery carts,” said Stephen Merils, the Eastern Ontario Loss Prevention Officer for Walmart Canada. “Walmart Trainyards had 400 grocery carts stolen in 2013, representing a loss of $120,000 dollars. Only 100 carts were stolen from the Trainyards store in 2014. Carts cost between $300 and $500 dollars each.”
“Since the implementation of the metal theft prevention program, theft of carts and metals has decreased across the City,” added Sgt. Eric Beaurivage. “It is hoped other cities and recyclers use the Ottawa model to assist with decreasing all types of metal thefts. 2015 results to date are following the same positive trend.”
The Ottawa Police is proud to work with local businesses that are willing to change and take ethical responsibilities to benefit the community. The recycling facilities that implemented the anti-theft measures did not record any tangible negative financial impacts.
- 30 -
CONTACT:
Media Relations Section
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366