Los Angeles Plans Armed Force to Tackle Copper Wire Theft
The power regulator in Los Angeles is considering the establishment of its own armed police unit to address the ongoing issue of copper wire thefts from streetlights.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) made this proposition in a letter sent to the City Council. They pointed out that similar entities, like the Port of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Airport, already have their own law enforcement divisions.
While the LADWP does use security guards, these personnel lack the authority required for effective law enforcement. As mentioned in the letter, they can’t detain or arrest suspects, engage in ongoing crime scenarios, conduct searches, or carry firearms.
The agency relies heavily on local law enforcement for quick responses, but that can be inconsistent, especially in remote areas with crucial infrastructure.
Should this new police force gain approval, the LADWP anticipates hiring between 20 to 50 officers. Their responsibilities would include dispatching duties and crime analysis, along with the power to make arrests, carry firearms, and investigate theft incidents.
The LADWP highlighted that forming this dedicated police department is a necessary step towards modernizing operations for the country’s largest local government entity.
Citing a concerning incident earlier this year, where an individual breached a perimeter fence and entered LADWP premises armed with explosives and weapons, the agency sees the need for enhanced security measures, especially in light of recent vandalism and terrorism-related acts.
Despite this, some individuals are expressing caution regarding the proposal. David Levitas, the executive director of the advocacy group LA Forward, emphasized the importance of careful consideration before establishing new police departments, particularly without clearly defined cases, constraints, and accountability mechanisms.
The initiative requires the backing of voters and must receive approval from the state Legislature to proceed. Financially, it is expected to incur a cost of $9.7 million over three years, with annual staffing costs potentially reaching $6 million.
The issue of copper wire theft in California has a longstanding history, with thieves often targeting streetlights, causing neighborhoods to be plunged into darkness.
Los Angeles has experienced a surge in thefts as the value of metals continues to rise. Most stolen wire is sold in the scrap market, resulting in significant losses—more than $20 million annually—due to power line theft alone.
Interestingly, the City of Los Angeles previously rejected proposals to implement cost-effective hardened covers to deter copper wire theft, opting instead for expensive solar lamps that can cost up to $6,000 each.
