Delco Hosting Electronic Recycling, Document Shredding Event

Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland is on a mission to combat identity theft in the county and to do so will host a community event where residents can dispose of items containing sensitive information.

The community will be able to safely and securely dispose of electronics – such as computers, cell phones, and hard drives – shred personal documents, and dispose of their unwanted, expired medications free of charge on Saturday, June 2.

Community members can use these services from 9 a.m. to noon on June 2 in the parking lot of the Clifton Heights Fire Company, 20 W. Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights.

"Our office is committed to protecting the community from identity theft, which can undermine a person’s financial security and lead to a host of other crimes," Copeland said. "One of the most effective ways citizens can safeguard themselves against identity thieves is by properly destroying documents and electronic storage devices that contain personal and sensitive information."

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 112,000 computers and approximately 350,000 mobile phones are disposed of each day, equating to more than 152 million phones thrown away in one year.

When it comes to disposing of electronics, Copeland advises residents to ensure proper disposal, as electronic devices can provide information to criminals who are seeking to steal someone’s identity.

"Whether you are planning to sell your device or throw it away, the careless disposal of an old computer or phone could result in inadvertently handing over your identity to a criminal," Copeland said. "These days our cell phones and computers contain all of our personal details such as passwords, account numbers, addresses and phone numbers which a criminal could use to steal your identity, steal your life savings."

A document shredding truck will be on hand to shred residents’ personal documents per person at no cost. Criminal Investigation Division detectives and members of the Office of the District Attorney will be there to assist with unloading boxes from vehicles and to provide information on preventing identity theft.

Residents are encouraged to bring the following items for shredding:

• tax returns older than five years;
• statements from banks and financial institutions;
• canceled checks;
• paycheck stubs;
• credit card applications;
• and unneeded medical records and billing statements.

In addition to providing the safe and secure disposal of documents containing personal information and electronics, the event will also feature a medication disposal aspect. Residents are encouraged to drop off their expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications which are a potential source of supply for illegal use and present a risk to public health and safety.

By disposing of unwanted medications, residents can help reduce the supply of prescription drugs available to those who might otherwise try to steal, abuse, or sell these drugs. Residents can dispose of unwanted drugs 24 hours a day, seven days a week at any of the permanent medicine drop boxes located at police stations across Delaware County.

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