In response to a surge in copper wire theft and infrastructure vandalism across California, Attorney General Rob Bonta convened a roundtable with law enforcement, utility companies, business leaders, educators, and elected officials to address the growing threat, the Attorney General’s Office announced. The meeting comes as California leads the nation in copper-related crimes, with nearly 1,805 incidents reported between June and December 2024, officials said. This accounts for one-third of all telecom copper thefts nationwide. “DOJ won’t tolerate anyone vandalizing critical infrastructure and endangering our communities to make a buck off of stolen copper,” Bonta said. “We all have a role to play in securing our infrastructure and protecting Californians.” Copper theft has triggered widespread impacts, including 911 service disruptions, power outages, and hazards on roads, bridges, and transit systems. The damage has also affected hospitals, schools, water systems, and public safety operations. Alongside the roundtable, Bonta issued a law enforcement bulletin summarizing state laws on copper wire theft and obligations for junk dealers and recyclers to track and report copper sales, officials noted. Officials urge the public to report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately to prevent further damage and ensure community safety.
© Copyright 2023 Claycord News & Talk
Step 1: Law Enforcement
Step 2: Prosecute
Step 3: Convict
Step 4: Incarcerate
California has been doing this to itself year after year by not following through starting at step 2. The majority of voters are asleep at the wheel and are the root cause of the problems (after the criminal of course)
The problem is there is little if any consequence… even if the perps are caught they just get a hand slap …. everybody see the video of the perps on crack in broad daylight cutting phone lines for the copper and dragging them off with a bunch of witnesses ?? ridiculous!
As has been stated from the beginning of Claycord – WHO IS PURCHASING THESE STOLEN ITEMS?????
Time to Regulate the Recyclers. Maybe the IRS needs to get involved……
The solution that youre talking about is this:when you take metals to the recycler,if it isnt CRV’s they give you a reciept and you have to wait 3 days to get paid.They figure this is long enough for the police to take your theft report and check all the scrap yards for your stuff,even though its already been thrown in a bin with thousands of pounds of other stuff,because if it is discoverd,the recycling yard has to give it back and they lose the money.The metals are quickly buried and undetectable.It’s the best they could come up with.Now the dopers dont get instant money to go buy drugs.They then have to go out and commit more instant cash crimes to get thru that day.It only creates more crime and doesnt stop or solve theft.
“We all have a role to play in securing our infrastructure”.
No, this is on you.
You take funds set aside for real infrastructure and waste them on pet projects.
You refuse to prosecute criminals so they can continue their career in crime.
Well the good news is you won’t need any of that copper for the high speed rail project, because that turkey already has a fork in it.
When i lived in Santa Ana Ca years ago,as the city got worse(liberals) and the office building emptyed out and we finally closed with nobody in the,homeless people would steal every inch of copper wire,all the AC units and and copper pipes attached.The repair bill to replace all of that i n labor costs would be so much it would cause the building to be demolished.This only makes the town further into liberal toilet stage..It has not improved one bit and I heard this is Adam Schiff’s area.It makes perfect sense.Those that live there are mostly people fresh out of Mexico so the standards of life are so low because anythings better than where they just were that they see no need for improvement,they need to keep the property values low for taxes and so caucasians don’t try to buy up the area.Back then coper was $1-2 per pound at the scrapyard.Now its over $4.There must be nothing left in that city but empty lots.
It’s so typical that democrat leaders have to have round tables, and forums, and symposiums and studies to figure out simple problems. There’s no accountability for criminals in this state! Yet the dems still don’t understand how their anti-police pro criminal stance plays apart in this all.
A crime not without risk: https://youtu.be/1rsqntNcsAA?si=8isPFT5q8OGVbKNM
Yeah and wait till all those EV chargers are built. No doubt lots of them will be trashed for the metal.
Good you tube feed Atticus!
Rob Bonta is both clueless and a clown. These copper thieves if caught will serve most likely little or no time in jail. When the consequences of punishment are non existent, you can expect more of the same. Politicians like to talk tough when cornered, but they no most are not watching so their policies go unnoticed.
It seems like things need to get extreme before the California authorities take action against crime… But then, for Many, Criminals are their best friends..
Another round table and study….
How about just arresting the perps, filing charges holding a trial and punishing them.
We’ve been slammed with new AI Deterrence system installs. Our Central Station dispatches police before the thieves even gain access to the property. Call us before you need us.