San Jose officials are intensifying their response to a rapid rise in copper wire thefts that have disrupted streetlights, traffic systems and transit infrastructure across the city. The growing criminal activity has led to widespread outages, costly repairs and mounting concerns from residents, businesses and transportation agencies. The issue was the central focus of a panel discussion on November 12 that brought together leaders from broadband, business, transportation and law enforcement sectors to examine how copper theft has evolved into a significant public safety challenge.
City transportation officials said the trend escalated sharply in mid-2024, creating unprecedented strain on municipal teams responsible for maintaining electrical systems. According to Assistant Director of Transportation Rick Scott, the city historically received a modest number of copper wire theft complaints each month, but that changed suddenly in June 2024. Reports ballooned from roughly a dozen cases monthly to more than one hundred, leaving the department struggling to keep pace with damage across San Jose’s 65,000 streetlights and roughly 940 traffic signals.
Since last June, the city has documented about 2,200 theft-related incidents and completed repairs on approximately 1,500 units. A backlog of around 700 outages remains, affecting visibility on roads, pedestrian safety and the sense of security in neighborhoods. Scott noted that thieves often break open concrete utility boxes to pull out copper wiring, creating hazards and leaving essential infrastructure unusable. To deter repeat thefts, the city now fills repaired utility boxes with sand and seals them with concrete. Early indications show the strategy may be working, as no new thefts have been reported from reinforced boxes.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the problem extends far beyond individuals cutting wires on the street. Assistant District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro said investigators are increasingly focused on the organized networks that buy and resell stolen copper at elevated prices. Because copper is valuable, widely used and relatively easy to strip and transport, it attracts illicit buyers. Recent undercover operations by local police have targeted these secondary markets, aiming to disrupt the financial incentives that fuel the trade.
Business leaders noted that the economic repercussions reach far beyond the cost of infrastructure repairs. Kat Angelov, policy manager for the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, said outages affect commercial corridors and customer behavior. Some potential patrons avoid dim or poorly lit areas, while others encounter disruptions when thieves damage the wrong type of cable. In several cases, internet service has been unintentionally cut, leaving small businesses offline for hours while repair crews restore connectivity. Those delays translate directly into lost revenue and reduced operational capacity.
Two new California laws are expected to bolster enforcement and prevention efforts. Assembly Bill 476, which takes effect in January, will make it illegal to possess metal taken from critical infrastructure and requires metal recyclers to maintain detailed records of sales. Assembly Bill 2371, implemented in September 2024, allows municipalities to strengthen industrial site security with electric fencing. Supporters say these measures will help close loopholes and make it harder for stolen copper to enter the resale market.
City officials, prosecutors and business advocates all agree that addressing copper theft requires a coordinated strategy combining tougher enforcement, improved infrastructure protection and community awareness. As San Jose continues to repair damaged systems and implement new safeguards, leaders say the priority remains restoring public safety and ensuring essential city services remain reliable for residents and businesses.
