California is grappling with a rise in copper wire theft, which has caused significant disruptions across the state. Attorney General Rob Bonta addressed this issue at a roundtable in Los Angeles with local law enforcement, business leaders, schools, utilities, and elected officials. The thefts have led to power outages, telecommunication and utility interruptions, and have posed threats to public safety.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the seriousness of these crimes: “My office won’t tolerate anyone vandalizing critical infrastructure and endangering our communities to make a buck off of stolen copper.” He noted that as long as the value of copper remains high, it will continue to be targeted unless proactive measures are taken. Bonta stressed the importance of collaboration among various sectors including law enforcement, government bodies, and advocacy organizations to combat this issue.
From June to December 2024, nearly 6,000 incidents of copper theft were reported nationwide by the telecom industry. California accounted for approximately one-third of these incidents. Thieves typically steal encased copper cables, cut them into pieces, burn them to remove sheathing, and sell the raw copper to scrap metal dealers. This practice not only affects public safety but also impacts essential services such as healthcare and education.
Copper theft can lead to severe consequences including disruptions in emergency services like 911 systems, power outages, transportation safety hazards, service interruptions in streetlights and traffic lights, contamination of water systems, and interruptions in healthcare facilities.
Attorney General Bonta urged residents to report any suspicious activity immediately to local law enforcement. Timely reporting is vital for preventing communication disruptions and avoiding substantial financial damages.
The law enforcement bulletin issued by Attorney General Bonta outlines California’s statutes related to copper wire theft and details junk dealers’ obligations regarding copper transactions.
For more information on this bulletin or how you can help prevent copper wire thefts in your area, please refer to the resources provided by the Attorney General’s office.
