City Approves Purchase of Copper Wire

$45,000 worth of repairs for Santa Monica’s street lights were approved by City Council Tuesday.

With the price of copper up to more than $3 a pound, the street lights’ internal wiring had become the target of a wave of thefts that began in September. No “significant arrests” have been made in the ongoing investigation, according to police officials.

Street lights had gone out in the 800 block of Yale, which police later confirmed was the result of stolen wires.

There have been more thefts, though police did not disclose the exact locations. They were not immediately able to determine the exact value of the additional stolen wire.

The $45,000 approved by the City Council Tuesday was for materials only, not installation.

City Hall purchased the items from Electric Supply Connection, with which the City has a contract.