In response to the alarming surge in copper wire theft plaguing communities across Los Angeles, Councilmember Kevin de León (Council District 14), alongside Councilmember Traci Park of Council District 11, announced the first commitment toward ending this brazen crime wave at a press conference held on the city’s iconic 6th Street Bridge. The city’s infrastructure, neighborhoods, and public safety have all fallen victim to these relentless thieves, who have left thousands of streetlights inoperable and incurred repair costs estimated at over $17 million in the past year alone.
“Thieves are literally picking our city for parts and selling them for scraps,” de León said at the press conference. “The rampant theft of copper wire has plagued our city for far too long. We can no longer tolerate this brazen disregard for our neighborhoods, jeopardizing the well-being and safety of our residents. Today, we are taking a firm stand against copper wire theft and sending a clear message that we will bring those responsible to justice.”
Councilmember de León introduced a motion today establishing a task force to address the rash of thefts in his district. De León and Councilmember Park co-introduced a citywide reward program that will aim to get the public involved in sharing critical information that will arrest and prosecute individuals and groups involved in the copper thefts.
“Copper wire theft affects every corner of our city, puts lives at risk, and costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year. It’s well past time to address this reckless criminal behavior and hold these thieves accountable,” said Councilwoman Park. “Our citywide reward program will encourage community members to come forward with information about copper thefts, making it clear that we all have a role to play in protecting our neighborhoods.”
The heart of this multifaceted approach is the establishment of a Copper Wire Task Force, a joint effort between the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central, Newton, and Hollenbeck divisions and the Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL). The task force will aggressively target copper wire thieves operating in Downtown LA, Boyle Heights, El Sereno, and Lincoln Heights, areas that have suffered the most from this epidemic. BSL and the City Attorney will be involved and assign dedicated liaisons to partner with LAPD to streamline reporting of thefts and ensure evidence is collected for prosecution.
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