Copper photo by Ra Dragon on unsplash

A pair of Fresno County supervisors is introducing a new ordinance to curb copper wire theft.

Supervisors Nathan Magsig and Garry Bredefeld are holding a news conference Tuesday to announce the measure targeting individuals in possession of stripped, commercial-grade copper wire.

The ordinance, drafted in collaboration with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Fresno, aims to close loopholes and impose consequences on thieves in possession of copper wire in the county and city.

Scheduled speakers include Bredefeld and Magsig, as well as City of Fresno Council President Mike Karbassi and Councilmembers Annalisa Perea and Tyler Maxwell.

It will be brought forth at the board of supervisor’s meeting on Tuesday.

“This ordinance will crack down on the rampant and costly crime of copper wire theft, which has caused millions in damage to Fresno County’s businesses, farms, and infrastructure,” said Bredefeld. It will hold criminals accountable and send a strong and very clear message that Fresno County will not tolerate this criminal behavior.”

If passed, the ordinance prohibits receiving, possessing and transporting more than 10 pounds of commercial grade wire stripped of its protective sheathing, except by a licensed business.

Copper theft violations would be punishable as a misdemeanor through civil penalties, or through administrative fines of $500 to $1,000 per violation.

The ordinance would also deem violations to be a public nuisance.

Theft of copper and aluminum components from energy transmission and telecommunications infrastructure in unincorporated areas damages agricultural businesses and threatens public safety, according to the ordinance.

According to the proposed ordinance, in 2023 copper wire theft inflicted over $3 million in damage to commercial operations in the Central Valley.

Existing state law regulates junk dealers and recyclers when accepting scrap metal. However, those laws are not readily applied to individuals without a business affiliation.

The proposed ordinance also prohibits the use of false, counterfeit or fraudulent written evidence of ownership for scrap commercial grade copper or aluminum cable.

“Providing tools to deputies to detain and arrest individuals illegally possessing copper wire will deter thieves and help protect our communities,” Magsig said.