SAY WHAT? Los Angeles Proposes New TAX to Pay to Fix Street Lights Broken by Copper Wire Thieves

Los Angeles is facing a widespread streetlight outage problem, largely driven by ongoing copper wire theft. Thousands of lights across the city have been disabled after thieves removed wiring and sold it for scrap, leaving many neighborhoods in the dark.

City leaders are now proposing a funding solution that would shift some of the repair costs to property owners. Under the plan, voters will decide whether to approve a fee increase to support a large-scale effort to restore and upgrade the city’s streetlight system.

According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, the proposal would fall under California’s Proposition 218 rules, which require property owner approval before local governments can raise certain fees. If approved, the measure would increase streetlighting assessments by about 120 percent, helping fund a program estimated at $125 million. The goal is to repair and replace more than 200,000 streetlights across Los Angeles.

Mayor Karen Bass has voiced support for the proposal, noting that the current funding system brings in roughly $45 million annually and has not been significantly updated since the 1990s. Because of the restrictions under Proposition 218, any increase requires direct approval from affected property owners, which has kept funding levels largely unchanged for decades.

Meanwhile, copper theft continues to strain infrastructure. Officials report more than 32,000 outstanding repair requests, as stolen wiring has disrupted not only streetlights but also underground systems throughout the city.

Ballots on the proposed fee increase are expected to be distributed soon, giving property owners the opportunity to decide whether to move forward with the plan.