South Carolina Law to Curb Copper Theft Takes Effect Next Week

South Carolina law enforcement officers said they hope a new state law will cut down on thieves destroying air-conditioning units, farm equipment and other property to sell the copper inner parts for scrap. Most of the state’s 46 sheriffs are already issuing permits for scrap copper sales to gear up for the law that takes effect next week, said state Sheriff’s Association director Jeff Moore. “Most are very eager to get this thing in place,” he said. “We did not want 9 a.m. to roll around Wednesday and have 100 people lined up at the sheriff’s office to sell.”