Newsom Signs LA Lawmaker’s Bill Targeting Organized Metal Theft

Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday signed legislation by Assemblyman Mark González, D-Los Angeles, aimed at repeat and organized theft of copper and other metal from public infrastructure. Assembly Bill 1941 establishes misdemeanor and felony penalties, depending on the circumstances, for people who repeatedly steal or traffic prohibited metal materials, according to González’s office. The measure is intended to give law enforcement and prosecutors more ways to pursue groups involved in stealing and selling metal taken from streetlights, telecommunications networks and other infrastructure, his office said. “Copper wire theft is not a victimless crime, and it is not just a few bad actors looking for a quick payday,” González said. “These organized operations are leaving our streets dark, disrupting communications, and putting Californians at risk, all while costing our cities and communities millions of dollars to repair the damage.” González’s office cited the theft of more than 38,000 feet of copper wire from Los Angeles’ Sixth Street Bridge. The stolen wire was valued at about $11,000, while damage and repairs are projected to cost more than $2.5 million, according to his office. “Every dollar a city spends replacing stolen streetlight wiring and fire hydrant parts is a dollar that doesn’t go to parks, road repairs, or public safety,” said Carolyn Coleman, executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities. “We’re pleased the Governor signed our co-sponsored bill, AB 1941, giving cities a new tool to stop the organized theft that threatens essential public infrastructure our communities depend on.” The law builds on a measure González authored last year that strengthened requirements for documenting certain scrap metal transactions and restricted possession of some materials taken from public infrastructure without appropriate documentation. González represents the 54th Assembly District, which includes Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello and Vernon.