Rising Trend of Urban Metal Theft Threatens Safety

Metal theft, particularly copper, has surged in urban areas post-pandemic, leading to safety hazards and infrastructure damage across the U.S. Incidents include fatal accidents due to darkened streetlights from stolen wiring. Thieves target various items like fire hydrants, mausoleum nameplates, and even artwork, selling them for minimal profits but causing significant disruptions. Cities like St. Paul and Los Angeles have experienced outages and safety risks. Efforts to combat theft include transitioning to fiber-optic cables, urging vigilance, and exploring stricter penalties for thieves.