Krewson's Crackdown Delayed

Alderwoman Lyda Krewson, 28th ward, delayed the final passage of her scrap seller ID bill, which attempts to cut down on the number of scrap thefts that plague the city, to address scrap dealers' concerns over payments made by check.

Krewson's scrap thief crackdown measure will require scrap yards to keep detailed descriptions of materials purchased and the sellers, including the seller's license plate number, their photo, and a copy of their id. Those who fail to comply would face a $500 fine, 90 days in the city workhouse, or both, for each violation.

The delay did not keep the rest of the aldermen present from simultaneously asking to be a co-sponsor of the measure. Almost before Krewson had completed her description of the bill, several alderman were at the microphones.

Alderman Kenneth Ortmann, 9th ward, after requesting to become a co-sponsor, applauded a bill and described the type of situation the bill attempts to eliminate. Ortmann described an incident in his ward in which a suspect was caught by police after he was witnessed absconding from a building with copper downspouts. Police found several receipts from the sale of scrap metal to a local yard.

Krewson said she hoped to finalize the details next week.