LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Clark County shed more light on the problem with copper wire thefts around the county.
County officials tell FOX5 the Department of Public Works has identified approximately 375 wire theft locations in need of repair.
“We have about 75 of those locations currently being repaired under a $1.2 million contract that started Dec. 16. We now are working on plans for a new, $2.5 million contract to address as many of the remaining locations as possible,” said Senior Public Information Officer ,Christine Crews.
We reached out to the county after a viewer wrote an email to FOX5’s The Rant.
“Can Clark County please fix the streetlights on Karen Ave. between Maryland Parkway and Eastern Ave? It is so dangerous driving on Karen Avenue at night. Two schools on Karen Avenue. Pedestrians are NOT visible. High risk for vehicular manslaughter! It’s been YEARS since these lights were last seen operating,” read the email.
FOX5 recently shot video in that area, which showed very dark conditions along roads and crosswalks.
Crews said that area has been subject to copper wire thefts in multiple locations. She said two areas are slated in the next phase of replacement, which may happen in the next few weeks.
Crews also discussed what the county has been doing to stop thefts.
“Clark County’s efforts to combat wire theft have included welding shut access covers, installing lock covers, installing wiring overhead instead of underground to make access more difficult, and installing aluminum wiring instead of copper because it has less value and may be less of a target for theft. And as I mentioned, we are also working to install nearly 100 solar streetlights in parts of the eastern Valley,” said Crews. “Furthermore, in November, the Clark County Commission adopted an ordinance to curb the sale of stolen copper wire at recycling plants and scrap yards. The ordinance prohibits the purchase of seven-strand copper wire commonly used in municipal or utility operations unless sellers provide documentation that verifies the wire was lawfully acquired. It also makes it illegal for businesses to purchase scrap metal from walk-up sellers and prohibits cash payments for copper wire.”
Crews says people should call 911 if they see a copper wire theft happening and to report it to police as a crime in progress.
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