Surge in Copper Theft Disrupts Infrastructure in San Jose

San Jose has witnessed a dramatic increase in copper wire thefts, significantly impacting its infrastructure, particularly street lights and traffic signals. Since June 2024, the city has recorded approximately 2,200 incidents, with monthly complaints escalating from 10-15 to 100-150. Rick Scott, assistant director of San Jose's Department of Transportation, noted that the city has repaired around 1,500 of these incidents but still faces a backlog of about 700 outages, leading to safety concerns in neighborhoods.

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The thefts not only disrupt municipal services but also adversely affect local businesses. Kat Angelov, policy manager for the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that downed street lights can deter customers, while thefts of copper wires can lead to internet service outages for small businesses. These outages can result in significant operational losses, with repairs taking hours to complete.

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In response to the escalating thefts, California has introduced new legislation aimed at curbing the issue. Assembly Bill 476, effective January 2025, criminalizes the possession of metal from essential infrastructure and mandates that metal recyclers maintain detailed sales records. Additionally, Assembly Bill 2371, which took effect in September 2024, facilitates the installation of electric fences at industrial sites to enhance security.

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The surge in copper thefts is closely linked to rising copper prices, which have increased from approximately $2.80 per pound in 2020 to around $4.55 per pound currently. Janus Norman, president and CEO of Cal Broadband, emphasized that the high commodity value of copper makes it an attractive target for thieves. The resale market for stolen copper has also expanded, further incentivizing these crimes.

As copper prices in the United States (U.S.) approach record highs, incidents of copper theft have s. .

The issue of copper theft is not isolated to San Jose; it reflects a national trend. According to the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, there were nearly 9,770 deliberate theft incidents targeting communication networks in the first half of this year, affecting over 8 million customers. AT&T reported losses of $76 million due to copper theft over a ten-month period, prompting the company to implement tracking measures to combat the issue.

As copper prices in the United States (U.S.) approach record highs, incidents of copper theft have s. .KTVU Fox 2

Critics argue that law enforcement efforts have not kept pace with the organized networks behind these thefts. Assistant District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro noted that enforcement must extend beyond street-level thieves to address the networks that facilitate the resale of stolen copper. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has intensified its investigations into organized copper theft, particularly in hotspots like Los Angeles.

As copper prices in the United States (U.S.) approach record highs, incidents of copper theft have s. .

• “If you're buying stolen copper, the person you might be buying it from might be a police detective.” — James Gibbons-Shapiro, Assistant District Attorney

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• “The price of copper will continue to rise as it is an essential metal for many, many services,” — Janus Norman, President and CEO of Cal Broadband

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• “Thieves may take the wrong type of wire and it'll put down internet service,” — Kat Angelov, Policy Manager for the San Jose Chamber of Commerce

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The ongoing copper theft crisis poses significant challenges for San Jose and other urban areas, necessitating coordinated efforts from local governments, law enforcement, and businesses to mitigate its impacts.

As copper prices in the United States (U.S.) approach record highs, incidents of copper theft have s. .