LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A highly-anticipated new bill just introduced by lawmakers in the Nevada Legislature seeks to curb the rampant theft of copper from streetlights and public works across the Las Vegas Valley.
FOX5 has reported on the hundreds of outages impacting streetlights, neighborhoods and even Nevada highways, and the millions of dollars spent by local governments to fund repairs. Local leaders have called for state laws to crack down on the issue, especially after a February incident targeting an NV Energy substation that impacted Harry Reid International Airport, a Strip hotel, and left Allegiant Stadium in the dark.
Assembly Bill 503, introduced Monday night, creates degrees of penalties for possession of municipal-grade stolen copper wire (otherwise known as seven-strand copper wire), and even causing massive outages to infrastructure such as buildings, cell towers and substations.
“Given the danger this presents to the public: these lights are out, and individuals are being killed.
“It’s a public safety issue. We have had deaths. We have had individuals killed because they’ve been hit by cars because streetlights are out, and motorists can’t see them,” said Warren Hardy, who is behind the legislative effort. He’s a former Nevada lawmaker-turned-lobbyist who represents local recyclers, has worked with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and their copper theft task force since it was created 15 years ago, and recently helped spearhead ordinances in Clark County and Las Vegas to stop the sale of stolen copper.
The bill outlines various penalties:
- Misdemeanor for possession of less than $500 worth of municipal-grade stolen copper wire
- A Class D felony for possession of more than $500 worth of municipal-grade stolen copper wire, fine up to $5,000
- A Class C felony for causing outage and damage to “infrastructure” (such as government buildings, streetlights, public works equipment, substations and cell towers), fine up to $10,000
- 100 hours of community service for the first offense
- 200 hours of community service for the second offense
- 300 hours of community service for the third offense
“It makes it to where it’s not worth the risk for a criminal,” Hardy said.
The bill lists provisions for contractors and other legitimate workers who will have municipal-grade copper wire in their possession; workers can show proof of ownership or other forms of documentation.
The bill, like others, faces a deadline: it must pass its committee of origin (in this case, Assembly Committee on Government Affairs) by April 11.
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