Copper wire theft penalties and rewards
Summary
Thieves are ripping live copper wire out of the ground across the city — 180 incidents in a year, 75 in August alone — costing about $650,000 in repairs and leaving neighborhoods around Capitol Drive dark. DPW is trying aluminum wire and new locks, but nothing has fully worked yet.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 30, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $650,000 in repair costs over the past year, and that's before the safety cost of dark streets.
Residents of theft-affected neighborhoods if arrests, stiffer fines and new security measures finally stick.
Residents and businesses in darkened neighborhoods face real safety risks, and the whole city absorbs repair costs.
Mentions & discussions (2)
COMMON COUNCIL — November 4, 2026
A package of three measures would raise fines for stealing copper cables and wires, create prevention measures, and set up a reward program for tips. Wire theft has been knocking out streetlights and infrastructure around the city.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE — September 30, 2026
Thieves are ripping live copper wire out of the ground across the city — 180 incidents in a year, 75 in August alone — costing about $650,000 in repairs and leaving neighborhoods around Capitol Drive dark. DPW is trying aluminum wire and new locks, but nothing has fully worked yet.
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