The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is proposing the creation of its own armed police force to address the rising issue of copper theft.
The department is seeking authorization for this force to protect vulnerable utility equipment and infrastructure. Currently, the LADWP relies on unarmed security guards who lack the authority to detain suspects or intervene in crimes, according to a report from May 21.
The proposal suggests starting with 20 to 50 officers over five years, with the ability to carry firearms, make arrests, and investigate thefts. The plan, which was discussed by the City Council on Thursday, comes amid a surge in streetlight repair requests, largely due to copper thefts. Mayor Karen Bass’ office highlighted that copper thefts are a leading cause of streetlight outages, with repair requests tripling from 14,328 in 2018 to 46,079 in 2024.
Copper prices have soared due to supply disruptions and increased demand, making it a lucrative target for thieves. The City Council has even approved rewards for information on metal thefts. The LADWP’s losses from theft exceed $1 million annually.
The new police force would require changes to the city charter, necessitating voter approval in the November midterm elections. State legislative approval is also needed. The estimated cost is $9.7 million over three years, with up to $6 million annually for staffing. Critics, like Timothy O’Connor from the Los Angeles Office of Public Accountability, question whether the small force would be effective and express concerns about potential cost overruns.
The need for enhanced security is underscored by recent incidents, such as a man breaching a power substation with explosives, which officials labeled an attempted terrorist attack. David Levitus of LA Forward expressed surprise at the proposal’s timing, urging caution in creating new police departments without clear accountability.
The LADWP argues that the proposed force would ultimately be more cost-effective than current spending on private security. However, any additional costs would be passed on to DWP customers.
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