Copper wire thefts on the rise, causing delays for Metro's rail lines - Los Angeles Times

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, a mailing list I'm on.

Copper wire thefts on the rise, causing delays for Metro's rail lines - Los Angeles Times

Saumya Gupta
July 1, 2023 6 AM PT

A section of Los Angeles’ Metro rail system that extends from Norwalk to the South Bay was delayed this week because of the theft of copper wires used to power the rail cars. ... The incident marks the latest in a surge of thefts of valuable copper wiring, which has caused disruptions for the rail system, which serves more than 5 million riders a month.

In 2022, Metro reported more than 60 copper wire thefts, mainly affecting the Metro A Line, formerly known as the Blue Line. So far this year, there have been 21 thefts, mainly on the C Line, formerly the Green Line, Dave Sotero, a Metro spokesperson, said in an email. These thefts are happening on the above-ground sections of the light rail lines.

Copper wire thieves are also targeting lights on Los Angeles streets and freeways. In the last four years, Caltrans has spent about $24 million on repairs, according to NBC News.

The thefts from the rail system can cause service delays and interruptions for passengers, forcing Metro to use buses, reduce train speeds or rely on a single track, said Errol Taylor, Metro’s deputy chief operations officer. ... The thefts cost the transit agency between $8,000 and $15,000 each time to repair, Taylor said.

{snip}

Times staff writer Rachel Uranga contributed to this report.

[LuvLoogie]

1. Inside job for sure

Look at heads of security and materials procurement managers

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. "These thefts are happening on the above-ground sections of the light rail lines."

Look at heads of security and materials procurement managers

The thefts from the rail system can cause service delays and interruptions for passengers, forcing Metro to use buses, reduce train speeds or rely on a single track, said Errol Taylor, Metro’s deputy chief operations officer. ... The thefts cost the transit agency between $8,000 and $15,000 each time to repair, Taylor said.

Ummmmm, maybe we don't have to look that far. The equipment is in use, not in inventory.

I think we can rule out billionaires too.

[LuvLoogie]

4. How do you steal live copper wire without electrocuting yourself?

Sorry didn't really read. Probably someone with knowledge of the systems. Highly organized. Any video?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. There's surely surveillance video.

They might be working after the system shuts down for the night. The DC Metro stops running at, uh, give me a minute.

Well, whatever, at some point, I suspect the power is turned off for maintenance. Diesel-powered equipment can still access the territory. If there's any doubt about energization, the thieves can toss a stretch of cable across the third rail and a running rail. No sparks, and you're good to go.

I agree with you that, if several 500-foot cable reels of copper wire walked away from a warehouse overnight, the authorities could begin with a concentrated search.

As an aside, not everyone appreciates the danger of the third rail.

METRO (WMATA)

‘Not worth the risk': Scary videos show people crossing Metro tracks

Surveillance footage from the Eisenhower Avenue station shows a man step over the third rail

By Adam Tuss, News4 Anchor & Transportation Reporter and Andrea Swalec • Published June 26, 2023 • Updated on June 26, 2023 at 4:38 pm

{snip}

Metro dealing with troubling trespassing trend: The News4 Rundown

NBC4 Washington
20.4K subscribers

433 views Jun 27, 2023
Metro is dealing with a trespassing trend. One person died after trying to ride on top of a train, and more people are putting their lives at risk by climbing onto the tracks. Also in The News4 Rundown: A grocery store chain says shoplifting is costing millions of dollars.
_______
NBC4 Washington / WRC-TV is the No. 1 broadcast television station and the home of the most-watched local news in Washington, D.C. NBCWashington.com is the market’s most-visited local television station website across all platforms.

{snip}

And good afternoon.

[LakeArenal]

2. Wire theft is big in Costa Rica. Our whole barrio was out for months due to wire theft.