The Los Angeles City Council has taken a bold step in addressing the rampant issue of copper wire thefts with the approval of a new reward program aimed at curbing these crimes. In a decisive 10-2 vote, council members approved a tiered reward offer program for crimes involving the theft of city plaques, tombstones, statues, light standards, and copper wire.
Council members Kevin de León and Traci Park spearheaded the motion, seconded by Councilman John Lee, with de León emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible for these crimes accountable. The program offers rewards for information that leads to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of suspects involved in such thefts, with misdemeanor convictions set at $1,000 and felony convictions at $5,000.
The program is part of a larger initiative that includes the establishment of a Copper Wire Task Force, comprising the LAPD, Bureau of Street Lighting, and City Attorney’s Office, to aggressively target and apprehend copper thieves operating in heavily affected areas like Downtown L.A., Boyle Heights, El Sereno, and Lincoln Heights.
While the new program received overwhelming support, Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez and Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez voted against it, expressing concerns about the focus on street lights in their districts. Soto-Martinez emphasized the need for more investment in street light maintenance to prevent copper wire thefts.
Council President Paul Krekorian highlighted the broader implications of copper thefts, pointing out the dangers posed by stolen wiring in public infrastructure like parks and commuter rail systems. The reward program, he emphasized, will only incur costs if rewards are issued for convictions, ensuring a focused and cost-effective approach to tackling copper wire thefts in Los Angeles.
