Copper wire theft and streetlight outages
Summary
Thieves have stripped nearly $800,000 in streetlight cable, leaving neighborhoods dark. The committee advanced a civil fine ordinance, a prevention strategy resolution, and a reward program for tips leading to convictions. Incidents dropped from 75 in August to 22 in October after MPD arrests.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 3 meetings since Sep 30, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Nearly $800,000 in stolen cable so far, not counting labor to replace it.
Residents in neighborhoods plagued by dark streets and the city budget alike.
Residents living on dark streets face safety risks while repairs are pending.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Suspects Arrested For Stealing Copper Wire from City Streetlights
Man known as the 'Green Goblin' and accomplices allegedly stole thousands of feet of copper wire.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE — October 21, 2026
Thieves have stripped nearly $800,000 in streetlight cable, leaving neighborhoods dark. The committee advanced a civil fine ordinance, a prevention strategy resolution, and a reward program for tips leading to convictions. Incidents dropped from 75 in August to 22 in October after MPD arrests.
FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE — October 15, 2026
Multiple aldermen reported weeks-long streetlight outages in their districts. The city is finishing LED conversion but 29% of lighting is still on old series circuits that can't accept LED. The budget eliminates nine electrical worker positions, raising concerns about future capacity. The streetlight fee generates $10.7 million but costs total $25.3 million.
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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