A recent incident in Morgan Hill, California involved two suspects attempting to steal copper from street light poles, resulting in an estimated $20,000 in damages. This trend, fueled by high copper prices, is becoming increasingly common, with criminal justice expert Ben Stickle noting that street lights are easy targets for thieves. The ramifications extend beyond immediate financial losses, impacting local utilities and necessitating changes such as the adoption of solar-powered street lights in some cities. Reports indicate a rise in similar thefts across Northern California, prompting concern among law enforcement.
"Unfortunately when you look at street lights, it's pretty easy targets. Thieves are able to pry the bottom access door off and just pull the wire out," said professor Ben Stickle, Ph. D.
"And the value of that wire may not actually be as high as you think, but the damage done to the utilities both underground and in the poll can be very significant," says Stickle.
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