LA claims progress in anti-copper theft initiative

A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) initiative and task force targeting copper theft funded earlier this year has resulted in 82 arrests and about one ton of copper confiscated, according to the LAPD.

The Heavy Metal Task Force was created in January after two Los Angeles City Council representatives convinced the city officials to earmark $400,000 to go toward efforts to combat copper wire theft.

Councilmembers Kevin de León and Traci Park pointed to an “alarming" surge in copper wire theft plaguing communities across Los Angeles when they announced the establishment of the task force, citing more than 6,800 such cases citywide in the previous 12 months.

“The city’s infrastructure, neighborhoods and public safety have all fallen victim to these relentless thieves, who have left thousands of streetlights inoperable and incurred repair costs estimated at over $17 million in the past year alone,” a news release announcing the creation of the task force says.

“The rampant theft of copper wire has plagued our city for far too long," de León adds. "We can no longer tolerate this brazen disregard for our neighborhoods, jeopardizing the well-being and safety of our residents. Today, we are taking a firm stand against copper wire theft and sending a clear message that we will bring those responsible to justice.”

Part of the initiative has involved a citywide reward program designed to get the public involved in sharing critical information that will arrest and prosecute individuals and groups involved in the copper thefts, according to Council.

In late July, the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division posted a YouTube video and made a post to its X saying its efforts so far this year included 26 operations that have resulted in 82 arrests (60 felony arrests) and the confiscation of 1 ton of stolen copper-bearing items and six firearms.

In the YouTube video, LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Oreb, leader of the Heavy Metal Task Force, called the theft of wire and cable from municipal systems a threat to public safety that has a “profound impact on communication infrastructure, adding that when entire blocks go without internet and lighting, that is "unacceptable.”

Going forward, the task force intends to visit metals recycling facilities to ensure compliance and hold those individuals accountable who are engaged in illegal activity.

The theft of metal, and copper in particular, is a nationwide and global problem that in many jurisdictions has resulted in unwelcome blame assigned to scrap processors.