LA Council votes to bill taxpayers to keep lights on amid copper wire theft

The Democratic-controlled Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a measure that would make local taxpayers pay more to keep the city’s lights running amid a rash of copper wire theft.

Councilors argued that current funding for routine streetlight maintenance is insufficient, and that more money is needed to cover permanent repairs as copper wire thieves become more prevalent.

The council approved the fee increase, which is expected to generate about $125 million for street lighting repairs, by a vote of 13 to 1. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez cast the lone dissenting vote, citing affordability concerns for Angelenos.

“At a time when we’re talking about rents being too high, in terms of affordability, I just want to remind everyone that this is also impacting affordability in the city at a very difficult time where families and businesses are struggling,” Rodriguez said. West side stream.

She said she also couldn’t vote to increase fees without updating the streetlight maintenance plan, which has remained the same since 2022 despite recent rapid increases in copper wire theft.

“I believe taxpayers deserve better in terms of all the different tax measures they will be asked to consider in the next few months,” she added.

The increase in copper wire theft stems from a 42% jump in the value of a pound of the metal since March 2023. Copper now sells for $5.50 per pound compared to about $4.08 three years ago.

Copper thieves in Los Angeles were particularly daring — even stripping Little League fields of wires inside their stadium lighting system.

Ripping the copper from streetlights turns them off and leaves neighborhoods in the dark. The lack of wiring is forcing residents to wait for repair crews before the sidewalks are lit again.

Advocates of higher fees say additional money is needed to combat thieves.

“Today, one in 10 streetlights in the city of Los Angeles will remain dark,” Councilwoman Eunice Hernandez said, according to Westside Current. “For 30 years, the Bureau of Street Lighting has been operating on a frozen budget while thieves strip our lights for parts.”

“We can’t keep spending money on temporary repairs, putting copper back in the ground, and then watch it get stolen again,” Hernandez added.

The fees will not go into effect for several months as the city must mail notices to affected property owners. A council hearing is scheduled for June 2 for the next step in the process.

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