Copper thefts explode in Santa Clara County, leaving dark streets and expensive damage - Local News Matters

San Jose faces a growing crisis of copper wire thefts, leading to street light outages and property damage, as discussed in a recent panel hosted by San José Spotlight. Since June 2024, the city has documented 2,200 theft incidents, leaving a backlog of 700 outages that hinder neighborhood safety. To address this, city officials have begun filling utility boxes with sand and concrete after repairs, which has reportedly reduced new outages. Assistant District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro highlighted the need to crack down on organized networks that profit from stolen copper. New laws, including Assembly Bill 476, will require metal recyclers to maintain records of sales, enhancing protection for critical infrastructure.

Local businesses express concern over the impact of downed lights on customer safety and internet connectivity, leading to lost revenue. The rising demand for copper, with prices increasing from $2. 80 to $4. 55 per pound since 2020, has fueled this theft crisis. Panelists urge local officials to take further action to combat this growing issue.