Assemblyman Mark González (D-Los Angeles) and Mayor Karen Bass recently visited businesses in Koreatown to discuss copper wire theft and to announce Bass’ support for Assembly Bill 1941.

AB 1941, authored by González, was introduced to combat organized metal theft. Throughout the state, communities have been left in darkness by thieves who steal scrap metal.

“Copper wire thieves have taken it too damn far,” González said. “Time and time again, we see news stories of thieves destroying street lighting, cutting phone lines or even damaging public transportation infrastructure – walking away with scraps worth a couple of hundred bucks, yet costing our cities millions in repairs.”

“Copper wire theft isn’t just a nuisance – it degrades our neighborhoods, harms businesses and is a threat to public safety,” Bass said. “We’re taking action locally to install solar street lights and train LAPD officers in every part of L.A. to go after these criminals, and AB 1941 brings in the full weight of the state of California to back us up. We are committed to fighting this reckless crime and ensure those responsible face serious consequences.”

Copper wire theft is a leading cause of streetlight outages in Los Angeles. AB 1941 will strengthen enforcement by targeting repeat and organized offenders who steal or traffic in stolen materials, and establish a statewide data-sharing tool to allow law enforcement, public agencies and private partners (telecom companies and recycling centers) to share information and track organized theft operations.

“With this legislation, we shine a light through the darkness and emphasize the real issue,” González said. “There are bad actors, treating our neighborhoods like scrap yards – taking wires and metal parts from our city infrastructure just to make a quick buck. We need to come together to remind these vandals that endangering our communities with a senseless crime will come with hefty consequences.”

Copper wire thefts have impacted the Miracle Mile, Hancock Park and Koreatown, as well as surrounding parts of the city. In one of the most egregious instances, thieves stole 38,000 feet (seven miles) of copper wire, valued at $11,000, from the Sixth Street Bridge, plunging the bridge into darkness. Repairs are projected at over $2.5 million and have yet to be completed.

“Across Los Angeles, especially in Koreatown, the most densely populated neighborhood in our city, we are seeing firsthand how copper wire theft is stealing away our peace of mind and our city’s budget dollars,” Board of Public Works president Steve Kang said. “AB 1941 will strengthen our ability to track, prevent and respond to organized metal theft through improved data sharing and coordination.”

For information, visit gonzalez.asmdc.org.