Copper wire theft leaves Fairfax District neighborhood in the dark

FAIRFAX DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sue Keh Bennett lives in the Fairfax District and says a number of street lights near Sierra Bonita Avenue and Beverly Boulevard are out.

Covers to electrical boxes are smashed and wires are torn out.

"When I see that, I don't know what wires are live and what's not. I'm not an electrician. I have no idea," Keh Bennett said. "I see our dogs walking down the street and when they go to the bathroom, I'm afraid they might electrocute themselves because we have no idea."

Video she sent from Monday night shows street lights off, and it's pitch black in the neighborhood. She also sent images that show a number of boxes opened and copper wire had been stolen.

"I just thought maybe it was just our street, and the more we walk we see it happening east, west, south. It's crazy," Keh Bennett said.

On a much larger scale, it's the same issue with the Sixth Street Bridge where all the lights are out, and it is covered in graffiti.

"Thieves repeatedly steal the copper wiring and have left the bridge in the dark," Los Angeles police Cmdr. Lillian Carranza said in a post on X.

Fixing the bridge's lighting long term will be difficult. The copper wiring continues to be a target for thieves.

"Unfortunately, the City's 100 year streetlighting infrastructure is easily accessible, making the lights in this neighborhood prime targets for copper wire theft. The LAPD has a dedicated Heavy Metal Task Force that will continue to hold people accountable," the L.A. Bureau of Street Lighting said in a statement.

Fixing the issue isn't going to be so easy. With thefts reported in several locations across the city, officials say getting to all the repairs will likely take months.

"It's so brazen. It's crazy," Keh Bennett said. "I mean how much copper are you really getting? But the inconvenience and the toll that it takes on the taxpayers and just in the community. It's unfair."