New Bill Aims to Curb 'Rampant' Copper Wire Theft Across St. Paul

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Copper wire theft continues to run rampant across St. Paul. A map the Public Works Department posted online shows 2,000 thefts last year.

That figure represents only one way the city gets these kinds of reports, meaning the total may be much higher. 

Thieves are targeting street lamps in particular, but on Monday, Mayor Carter will join Representative Athena Hollins and Senator Sandy Pappas at the State Capitol to discuss proposed legislation aimed at curbing the sharp rise in copper wire theft.

"The lights are wired one to the next so, I think, what they do, is they cut one lamp and then the next lamp and then they pull the wire between them," said longtime resident Jeremy Wight. "So, you cut one lamp and you’ve destroyed the entire chain of lamps."

There are about 40,000 street lamps across the city, some of which light the way for Wight who takes a walk every day. 

"They have a very nice character, they're low and not super bright," said Wight. "They're very inviting and for that reason, I suppose, they're vulnerable."

The Public Works Department has also spent $1.2 million to repair and replace the street lamps over the last year, along with holding public meetings and even making some arrests. The city has taken many steps to try and fix the problem including:

Welding, epoxying, and banding access panels 

Using security bolts and screws to close and secure the access panels 

Keeping streetlights on, or “daylighting,” to keep the wires electrified during the daytime

Using smaller gauge wire, which would be less valuable for theft and resale 

Labeling our wire with “City of Saint Paul” to identify the ownership for authorities and recyclers

Silent alarms 

Exploring changing street light fixtures to solar and/or using overhead wires 

Considering changing street light fixtures to aluminum wiring 

Most of the solutions just don't stick and with copper wiring selling for sometimes up to $4 a pound, the problem persists.

"There's only so much they can do," said Wight.

Representative Hollins and Senator Pappas are leading the bills (HF 4461 / SF 4455) that would require every dealer create a permanent record of every sale and that every seller has a license that must be renewed every year.

"I've seen all kinds of things, but none of them are practical and I think this potential legislation might be the practical thing," said Wight. "That's the hope."

The city reminds residents the only people you should see working on street lights are public works or parks and rec employees.

If anything looks suspicious, officials say call 911 or you can report broken street lights here. You can also register any of your cameras confidentially with the police department. 

Courtesy: www.kare11.com