It’s been a continuing problem in post-Katrina rebuilding, but now the New Orleans City Council hopes to crack down even harder on copper theft.

For retired science teacher Bill Thompson, theft is a major concern as he rebuilds his Lake Terrace home.

"I buy stuff as we need it, there's never more than a couple hundred dollars outside that anybody can take or use," he says.

For retired electrician John Carey, he’s not surprised to hear about the string of construction site theft in Orleans Parish, considering the pay off.

"The price of copper and aluminum and whatever is very, very high so I sure hope they figure a way to stop it."

A pair of City Council members recently introduced legislation they hope will deter metal theft.

Currently, anyone with a valid ID can sell scrap metal to local dealers, but the new proposal would only allow certain licensed contractors, plumbers and gasfitters to do so.

As it stands, Carey says scrap metal owners really have no way of knowing if what they’re purchasing is stolen.

“That poor guy doing the buying can only assume you're coming with scraps," he says.

Thompson says the City Council should instead try to put more of the emphasis on policing.

"Maybe more patrols," he suggests.

Another proposal was also drafted by members of the council – they hope to exclude certain establishments from their scrap metal legislation including pawnshops and dealers selling second hand goods, jewelry, antiques and motor vehicle body parts.

Eyewitness News attempted to contact each member of the New Orleans City Council for comment, but was unsuccessful in gaining a response from any member.

The council is expected to vote next Thursday on whether they should limit the people who are legally allowed to sell scrap metal.