Wednesday, May 14, 2025

L.A. County Supervisors Back State Bill To Combat Rampant Copper Theft

Motion supports stricter regulations on metal recyclers as county faces increasing infrastructure damage and public safety risks

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion supporting Assembly Bill 476, legislation aimed at curbing the rising threat of copper and nonferrous metal theft across California. The motion, introduced by Board Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, seeks to close loopholes enabling the resale of stolen metals and establish clearer pathways for prosecution to address a problem that has caused millions in damages.

“Copper theft is far from a petty crime, it’s a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Supervisor Barger.

“Supporting this bill reflects our shared commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and supporting stronger enforcement tools that will deter this type of theft. We need clear recordkeeping, tighter restrictions, and better coordination with law enforcement to stop these dangerous crimes.”

The approved motion directs the County’s Legislative Affairs branch to support AB 476, instructs impacted departments to document copper thefts and share information with the District Attorney’s Office, and urges prosecutors to prioritize these cases due to their widespread public impact.

Assembly Bill 476 (Gonzalez) would require junk dealers and recyclers to maintain detailed transaction records including seller identification, vehicle information, and proof of metal ownership. The bill would create a licensure system for sellers with fees up to $500 annually and authorize law enforcement to conduct inspections during business hours.

Pasadena has been particularly hard hit, with nearly 600 feet of copper wire stolen from streetlight pull boxes days ago, on May 10. Earlier, on May 6, 2025, about 240 feet of copper wire was stolen from electrical boxes at Pasadena Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard.

The city reported 45 incidents of wire theft since January 2023, with 33 occurring since November 2023. By January 2024, thieves had stolen 6½ miles of copper wire from Pasadena’s street lighting system.

The theft also put members if the public at risk, from darkened streets without working street lights and from exposed electrified live wiring.

“Although only a small amount of copper wire was taken [on Tuesday, May 6], the bigger concern is the suspect(s) left a lot of pull boxes opened and cut wires energized, which poses a significant safety risk,” said Lisa Derderian, Pasadena’s Public Information Officer.

“It’s not just a crime of opportunity. It’s not just about the money and the cost fiscally to the city. It is the potential cost of injury to human life out here in our city,” said Eugene Harris, Pasadena Police Chief, during the announcement of a $20,000 reward for information on copper thefts in January 2024.

The joint reward included $10,000 from the County and $10,000 from the city of Pasadena.

“It has an outsized cost impact on the city as we have to replace the copper on an expensive market, but also deploy resources on an emergency basis, and it affects the feeling of safety in our business and residential neighborhoods as lights go down in the middle of the night,” said Pasadena City Councilmember Jason Lyon said at the time of the reward announcement..

Barger’s motion also highlights environmental concerns, noting that thieves often burn plastic insulation from stolen copper wiring in remote areas. This practice releases toxic smoke containing hydrochloric acid, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals including dioxins, posing serious health and environmental threats.