SACRAMENTO, CA – In response to a growing crisis impacting California communities, Assemblymember Mark González has introduced Assembly Bill 1941, a common-sense public safety measure aimed at tackling organized metal theft. By strengthening enforcement tools, we are protecting vital public infrastructure from ongoing damage.
“Copper wire theft is not a victimless crime,” said Assemblymember Mark González (D – Los Angeles). “It is a crime that leaves Abuelitas without power for A/C or heat, brings our public transportation to a halt, blackouts phone service to rural community members, and leaves our neighborhoods in the dark.”
“This bill sends a clear message. If you treat our neighborhoods as salvage, if you destroy our infrastructure for some quick cash, if you endanger our community with these senseless crimes, there will be consequences.”
A Modern-Day Plague:
Copper wire theft continues to plague communities across the state—leaving neighborhoods in the dark, draining taxpayer resources, and creating significant public safety hazards.
AB 1941 will create new tools for law enforcement to combat copper wire theft by:
- Targeting repeat and organized offenders who steal or traffic prohibited metal materials.
- Creating a statewide data-sharing tool to allow for increased visibility into organized metal theft operations.
Copper Wire Theft is Rising, not Declining:
California cities have reported a dramatic rise in copper wire theft. In Los Angeles, over 38,000 feet—or seven miles—of copper wire were stolen from the iconic Sixth Street Bridge alone, causing more than $2.5 million in damages. In 2024, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting received nearly 45,000 service requests for outages—many due to wire theft—with some repairs taking up to six months to complete.
It is not just streetlights; essential telecommunication networks have been disrupted, with large providers like AT&T reporting 2,200 separate incidents of copper wire theft in 2024 and having spent $60 million in 2025 on copper wire theft repairs. These outages also impact the ability for Californians to call 911 or 988.
“If we are talking about building a more affordable California, let’s start by protecting our infrastructure from being vandalized,” said González.
“As documented in the Critical Attacks on Communications Infrastructure report, organized metal theft is no longer a nuisance crime but a direct threat to public safety, and AB 1941 gives California the tools needed to stop coordinated theft rings that cut off 911 access, disrupt essential services, and endanger communities,” said Janus Norman, President and CEO of the California Broadband & Video Association.
“Across the country, critical telecommunications infrastructure is being disrupted daily—not by cybercriminals, but by thieves and vandals, and nowhere is this more pervasive than in California. This crisis leaves Californians facing service outages, and costs broadband providers millions. Landline cuts can disrupt businesses, public safety, banking, and airline operations, hurting our economy and posing national security risks. We thank Assemblymember Mark González for his continued leadership to address this growing threat and protect the reliability and security of our networks,” said Lynn Follansee, Vice-President of USTelecom-The Broadband Association.
“Cal Cities is proud to co-sponsor AB 1941, a crucial step toward enforcing copper wire theft laws and protecting the critical public infrastructure our communities rely upon,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Copper wire theft threatens the delivery of essential emergency response services, broadband, electricity, water, and street safety, and places a significant financial strain on cities. AB 1941 is a smart solution that will keep our communities safe and fiscally sound.”
AB 1941 builds on Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez’s effort to combat copper wire theft last year through AB 476, which was signed by Governor Newsom. This bill is expected to be heard in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety.
Assemblymember Mark González is the Assembly Majority Whip. He serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Health, Public Safety, Rules, and Utilities & Energy. He represents the 54th District, composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.