Los Angeles grapples with an epidemic of copper wire thefts that not only plunges neighborhoods into darkness but also incurs damages exceeding $100 million.
Story Snapshot
- Thieves target copper wiring in LA’s streetlights, leading to widespread blackouts and infrastructure damage.
- The damages have exceeded $100 million since 2020, with over 27,000 miles of wiring at risk.
- Nearly half of over 46,000 outage requests in 2024 were linked to copper theft.
- LA’s unique infrastructure, including the iconic 6th Street Bridge, has made it particularly vulnerable.
The Copper Wire Theft Epidemic
Los Angeles faces a persistent and costly challenge as organized groups of thieves target copper wiring in the city’s extensive streetlight network. This epidemic has plunged neighborhoods and iconic landmarks, such as the 6th Street Bridge, into darkness while causing significant disruptions to essential services like internet and emergency access. Since 2020, the damages have exceeded $100 million, underlining the severity of the issue.
In 2024 alone, nearly half of the over 46,000 outage requests were linked to copper theft. The problem has deep roots, with incidents rising 650% between 2018 and 2022. As copper prices soared and post-pandemic scrap demand surged, thefts intensified further. This has left the city scrambling to address more than 37,000 repair requests in 2025, with over 50% still unresolved by September of that year.
Impact and Community Safety Risks
The consequences of these thefts are severe, posing immediate safety risks to communities. Darkened streets have become hotspots for crime, as demonstrated by the tragic shooting of Johnny Wactor in 2023. The repair delays, which can extend from 9 to 12 months, exacerbate these safety concerns. Moreover, the economic waste is staggering, with repairs costing far more than the value of the stolen copper scrap.
LA’s scale and infrastructure complexity make it particularly susceptible to such thefts. The city has over a quarter-million streetlights, 500,000 entry points, and critical infrastructure embedded within its streetlight network, including EV chargers, 5G nodes, and air quality monitors. The 6th Street Bridge alone has suffered the theft of 38,000 feet of wiring since its 2022 reopening, incurring repair costs of $2.5 million.
Innovative Solutions and Challenges
The city has begun implementing innovative solutions to combat these thefts, such as installing theft-proof solar streetlights supplied by companies like Fonroche Solar. These efforts, along with the LAPD’s Heavy Metal Task Force targeting thieves and scrap dealers, have shown promise. Complaints dropped significantly to 2,873 in June 2025 from a peak of 5,200 in January of the same year.
However, vulnerabilities persist. The expansive and aging infrastructure offers easy re-access points for thieves, and the scrap metal market continues to fuel these crimes. Despite the task force’s efforts and the introduction of new state laws set to take effect in 2026, the systemic issues underlying this epidemic remain challenging to address comprehensively.
Economic and Political Ramifications
The economic implications extend beyond the immediate repair costs. The thriving black market for scrap copper represents a broader economic issue, driving up costs for taxpayers and straining city budgets. Socially, the fear and uncertainty created by darkened streets impact community wellbeing and safety perceptions.
Politically, there is mounting pressure on city officials and law enforcement to find effective solutions. Council members like Nithya Raman have voiced concerns over the unacceptable delays in repairs, while the LA County DA Nathan Hochman has highlighted the life-and-death stakes involved. The broader implications for industries, particularly those reliant on communication infrastructure and transportation networks, are significant and demand strategic long-term solutions.
