Dive Brief:

• The state of Michigan says scrap metal thieves are responsible for the massive flooding in the Detroit area earlier this week.
• Officials say that copper piping was stolen from several pumping stations. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Diane Cross said MDOT wasn’t aware of the thefts until workers began trying to pump the water.
• The issue will be evaluated after debris is cleared from roadways, and a final determination will be made at that time.

Dive Insight:

Michigan has one of the highest rates of metal theft insurance claims in the U.S. Detroit has been battling scrap theft with little results. Thieves often gut abandoned homes and businesses for scrap metal, and it is not uncommon for them to steal sewer covers and streetlights for scrap. 

In March of 2014, The Michigan state House approved a bill aimed at aiding law enforcement to solve and prosecute metal theft cases. Under the bill, scrap yards will be required to shoot video of metals being bought and sold, and the sellers must be paid by check or money order. Scrap metal theft is still an issue in many states, prompting ISRI to establish a group to fight scrap metal thieves.