Daring Copper Wire Heists Leave Tucson Neighborhoods and Streets in Darkness

By Matthew Hollway |

Tucson is grappling with a troubling increase in copper theft that has left many city streets shrouded in darkness. City officials report that around 1,000 streetlights have been disabled and stripped of their copper components, resulting in significant public safety concerns. The thieves are outpacing maintenance crews due to a staggering rise in incidents, costing taxpayers approximately $1.3 million for repairs and replacement wire, according to information released to the Arizona Daily Star.

Recently, KVOA highlighted a neighborhood near Fort Lowell and Romero roads where residents were forced to light their streets using Christmas lights, illustrating the localized impact of this crisis. To date, over 400,000 feet of wire have been reported stolen.

In response, the City of Tucson stated, “[T]hieves are stealing the wire faster than staff can replace it. [T]hese thefts have overwhelmed staff’s capacity to make repairs.” Officials emphasize that current staffing shortages have exacerbated the situation, contributing to a backlog of repair orders that spans six months.

The allure of copper theft lies in its profitability, with scrap yielding around $2.30 per pound in southern Arizona. Tucson PD has indicated that tracking these stolen materials is highly challenging due to a lack of identifying markings. Even though scrap merchants are required to document their copper purchases, the absence of distinctive identifiers complicates recovery efforts.

Tucson’s Department of Transportation and Mobility has implemented a triage system to prioritize repairs for streetlights at pedestrian crosswalks and busy thoroughfares. Meanwhile, the city plans to introduce new security measures to deter future thefts, though specific details remain undisclosed. The authorities are collaborating closely with local police to enhance their response.

Tucson Vice Mayor Kevin Dahl told the Arizona Daily Star that contractors are being brought on board to assist city workers in fixing the disabled lights, a costly endeavor that was not accounted for in the city’s existing budget. “We have to do it, but some other program will suffer because of that,” Dahl noted, stressing the financial implications of prioritizing these repairs.

In an effort to combat the ongoing thefts, Dahl remarked, “We are trying innovative techniques to foil continued theft, and while some have been circumvented, we hope that some will ultimately prove successful.” He also urged residents to assist by reporting suspicious activities, noting that such reports can lead to arrests and reduce the strain on city resources. “Getting the culprits arrested is the best prevention,” he encouraged, adding that community vigilance is crucial.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.