California leaders urge Governor Newsom to sign organized metal theft bill

A coalition of business leaders, law enforcement, and politicians is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1941 to combat organized copper theft. The proposed legislation would establish a new crime titled ‘organized metal theft,’ which could carry penalties of up to one year in jail for those involved in stealing or purchasing stolen metal.

Utility providers and local officials report that the theft of copper and fiber optic cables has caused significant disruptions, including the loss of telephone services, internet outages, and the failure of streetlights in Los Angeles and other California cities. Verizon reported that vandalism to its network can jeopardize emergency access to 911 services.

Data reveals the scale of the issue, with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reporting the theft of over 27,000 feet of communications cable since last year. Assembly Member Mark González, a sponsor of the bill, noted that taxpayers have spent approximately $11 million to replace stolen cables from the 6th Street Bridge alone.