A huge spike in thefts of copper and other recyclable metals could lead to stricter laws and tougher penalties in Dallas, particularly for recyclers who knowingly accept stolen goods.

Dallas police officials presented a plan to the City Council on Wednesday that they hope will make it harder for people who steal scrap metal to sell it in the city.

The council was largely supportive of the proposed changes, which include:

• Requiring recyclers to pay metal sellers with mailed checks.

• Requiring recyclers to take digital photos and thumbprints from sellers, photos of the material purchased and copies of state identification.

• Lobbying the state Legislature to pass laws that would subject recyclers who knowingly purchase stolen metal to jail time.

• Permitting property owners to sue recyclers who knowingly buy stolen goods.

From 2005 to 2007, metal thefts in Dallas jumped 227 percent, police said. So far this year, police have filed 101 enforcement cases for metal thefts. Last year, the city filed a total of 216.

Mayor Tom Leppert called the stolen-metal problem a major concern for Dallas but strongly suggested the city try to address the problem regionally.

Tough ordinances here won't stop thefts if thieves can simply cross the city line to a recycler in an adjoining city.

Council member Carolyn Davis said that, concerns of local recyclers aside, the city must do something now.

"It's madness. It's madness what's going on. When [a thief] knows he has to have some form of ID he's going to think twice. When he knows they're going to take a thumbprint, he's going to think twice," she said.

Several metal recyclers spoke out to discourage quick action from the council.

Robert Miklos, a former assistant city attorney representing Gold Metal Recyclers, said the city shouldn't take on "spot to spot" regulations of a business.

"You're just killing your industry in one place," he said.

But after a raft of thefts that has cost property owners and insurers millions of dollars, it was clear the council was poised for some action.

Mr. Leppert requested that Police Chief David Kunkle and the city attorney's office bring back the proposed ordinance for a vote this month.