The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky State Police have joined forces to combat the rising number of copper wire thefts from highway lights.
The KSP are offering up to $2,500 for any information leading to an arrest and conviction. These incidents have cost taxpayers at least $2,000,000 in just the last four years.
KYTC Spokesman Keith Todd says there’s more to the issue than just money.
“In the case of a traffic signal, it could get really really serious," said Todd. "You know we just have a lot of infrastructure out there. Copper prices have gone up, unemployment has gone up. You know, the economy has been slow and therefore people are looking for anything that they can do to make some extra money.”
There have been nearly 40 cases just this year.
Todd says the KYTC’s keeping in touch with scrap recyclers to deter the resale of stolen copper. Under current legislation, these facilities can be held liable for purchasing these materials.
