Public's help needed to halt copper thefts

The City of Carlsbad is seeking the public's help in stopping a series of thefts of copper wire from city streetlights.

 

The thefts began in the summer, when the culprits stole wire that connects lights on La Costa Avenue between Interstate 5 and Carlsbad Boulevard. The thieves have hit about a half dozen locations around the city.

 

To date the crimes have cost the city approximately $58,000, and the City of Carlsbad is seeking the public's help in stopping the thefts and identifying the culprits.

 

Carlsbad isn't the only city experiencing such losses, and police believe that the rising price of copper has made such thefts more attractive.

 

The thieves take the wire by removing covers of utility boxes that provide access to the lights, clipping the wire near each streetlight, and pulling the cable out of its underground conduit, sometimes by attaching it to a vehicle.

 

Police have increased surveillance around the lights and are asking the public to be alert and report any suspicious activity around city streetlights, in city parks or around city facilities, especially at night.

 

Such suspicious activity includes:

 

If you see anyone acting suspiciously around city light poles, if possible, get vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers and descriptions of people involved, and call the police at 760-931-2197, 24 hours a day, when the activity is taking place. For your safety, do not confront anyone you suspect of stealing wire. If you believe you are witnessing a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

 

City of Carlsbad Transportation Superintendent John Maashoff said the thieves appear to be familiar with the electronics of streetlights because they can work around them without getting shocked. He said on one occasion the thieves left a 240-volt live wire exposed, which could have seriously injured a passerby.

 

“The city is taking preventive measures to make it more difficult to remove the lids,” said Maashoff. “The lids are heavy and hard to lift, so if we even slow the process down, it may stop a theft.”

 

Police and city officials suspect that the thefts take place at night because they have occurred in locations that experience little nighttime traffic or activity.

 

Besides La Costa, other locations where wire was stolen are Tamarack Avenue west of El Camino Real, Faraday Avenue south of Cannon Road, and Poinsettia Community Park, where copper wire was stolen from lights that illuminate the ball fields.

 

City work crews have noticed damage to other streetlights where someone attempted to gain access with the aim of stealing the wire, but did not succeed.

City of Carlsbad Police Department, 760-931-2197

John Maashoff, City of Carlsbad Transportation Department, 760-434-2856, or john.maashoff@carlsbadca.gov

 

Kristina Ray, 760-434-2957, kristina.ray@carlsbadca.gov

Rachel McGuire, 760-434-2960, rachel.mcguire@carlsbadca.gov