LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The City Council Tuesday is expected to approve a proposed ordinance that would create a Metal and Wire Theft Reward program, offering money in exchange for information leading to arrests and convictions for crimes that affect public infrastructure.
In Jan. 2024, former Councilman Kevin de Leon alongside Councilwoman Traci Park and John Lee introduced a motion seeking the creation of a tiered reward system program to solicit help from residents in addressing copper wire theft. Council members later approved the motion and instructed the City Attorney to draft the ordinance for such a program.
Rewards will be offered for information involving theft of city plaques, tombstones, statues, light standards, and copper wire, and theft of metals linked to the 6th Street Bridge.
The city would offer a $5,000 reward for grand theft, a felony, and $1,000 for theft, a misdemeanor.
“In response to this criminal activity, the Los Angeles Police Department deploys the Heavy Metal Task Force to areas affected by theft of copper wire. The HMTF has apprehended dozens of suspected and confiscated several firearms,” according to a report from the City Attorney’s Office. “LAPD believes that the adoption of this ordinance will assist in the identification, apprehension and conviction, or final adjudication, of persons who commit acts of metal and wire theft.”
If approved, the matter will be sent to Mayor Karen Bass for her consideration as well.
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