Spike in copper wire theft potential trigger for darkened streets in Lengthy Seashore – NBC Los Angeles
A spike in copper wire thefts has left many streets throughout Lengthy Seashore poorly lit or utterly darkish, prompting security considerations from residents who say the issue has endured for years.
In some neighborhoods, streetlights are utterly out, whereas others seem dim, leaving stretches of roadway tough to navigate after sundown.
Close to the intersection of Redondo Avenue and Second Avenue, residents say the dearth of lighting makes it arduous to see pedestrians crossing the road only a few toes away.
“There are a variety of cease indicators round, and so it is tough to be seen at the hours of darkness,” mentioned Melissa Clarke, a Lengthy Seashore resident. “So that you by no means know if a automotive goes to cease or not and so that’s in all probability one of many greatest hazard factors for me.”
Others say the darkened streets make them really feel unsafe when strolling alone at evening.
“I didn’t really feel secure,” mentioned Morgan Smith, who mentioned a current stroll in her neighborhood left her uneasy. “I used to be continually wanting over my shoulder, however I’m at all times nervous. So I want that the streets had been extra lit up for certain.”
Residents say the lighting problem has modified their day by day routines, with some avoiding strolling at evening or selecting solely well-populated areas.
“We stroll much less. We stroll much less,” mentioned Lengthy Seashore resident Ella Benhagai. “Or we stroll the place it is crowded. Nevertheless it nonetheless feels, you understand, harmful.”
Authorities say a current improve in copper wire theft could also be behind the rising variety of dim or nonworking streetlights.
“I imply, we’ve the poles, they need to have bulbs in them,” mentioned Lengthy Seashore resident Kevin Prepare dinner.
The Lengthy Seashore Police Division is encouraging residents to report suspicious exercise, together with automobiles lingering in alleys, folks tampering with utility infrastructure, or uncommon nighttime exercise close to industrial buildings.
Utility supplier Southern California Edison mentioned it’s conscious of the issue. In a press release, the corporate mentioned town of Lengthy Seashore lately raised the difficulty and that Edison has provided full cooperation. The corporate additionally inspired clients to report streetlight outages by way of its outage reporting web site.
Residents say they need metropolis officers to do extra to forestall copper wire theft and to create a plan to restore damaged streetlights rapidly and add extra lighting to darkish streets.
