By Ricardo Roura
Jun 12, 2024, 1:29 PM EDT
The Sixth Street Bridge, inaugurated in 2022 as a pride of the city of Los Angeles designed with artistic lighting that enhances its appearance, He is currently having dark nights as he is a victim of copper electrical cable theft..
Time and time again, copper thieves have attacked the bridge’s electrical installation, which has had more than 4 miles of copper wiring stolen and that leave a large part of the structure in darkness.
Even though six months ago The city formed a task force to attack theftsthe problem still persists.
Keep reading: More than 30 vehicles are seized in Los Angeles for illegal street takeovers
The concilor Kevin de León was the one who proposed the motion before the Los Angeles City Council for the creation of said working group in January, and since then the authorities have managed to make some arrests.
According to Councilman De León’s office, it is estimated that the thugs were able to sell the stolen copper cables for about $11,000. However, It will cost the city about $2 million to replace the stolen wiring and repair all the damage..
De León acknowledged that, after the copper is reinstalled and repairs made, thieves could strike again.
Keep reading: 17-year-old teenager dies after falling from the Sixth Street Bridge while trying to climb it
“They are waiting for us to make the repairs. They want us to repair them because, for them, every light pole is an ATM. It’s pure cash. When we go to repair, what do they do? They go and steal again,” said Councilor De León.
Part of the plan, mentioned Kevin de León, requires strengthening infrastructure to make robberies more difficult in the future.
The bridge too has been plagued by other types of problems since its reopeningwhen a long-standing structure was replaced that was closed in 2016 due to damage and poor structural condition.
Keep reading: Los Angeles City Council approves $2 million for construction of a park under the Sixth Street Bridge
Since its opening, has been a victim of vandalism, street takeovers, illegal fireworkspeople who perform dangerous stunts such as climbing their arches and even a barber who cut hair in the middle of the road.
In addition to the Sixth Street Bridge, Around 6,000 copper cable thefts were reported throughout the city of Los Angeles last year.while the cost of repairs was estimated at more than $17 million dollars.
Keep reading:
· Despite an operation, the Sixth Street Bridge was closed again by the Los Angeles police
· Los Angeles Police activate traffic control operation on the Sixth Street Bridge to prevent illegal activities
· Los Angeles Police reported that the Sixth Street Bridge will remain closed until further notice