WLKY Investigates: Kentucky bill looks to strengthen criminal penalties against copper wire theft

WLKY’S MADISON ELLIOTT INVESTIGATES THE PROGRESS IN THE EFFORTS TO STOP THE THIEVES IN SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FROM FEBRUARY 18TH, YOU CAN SEE A THIEF YANKING OUT COPPER WIRE, ATTACHING IT TO A WHITE FORD FOCUS AND DRIVING AWAY. THIS HAPPENED IN THE OKOLONA NEIGHBORHOOD. WE OBTAINED THE POLICE REPORT. IT INDICATES TWO PEOPLE STRIPPED 300FT OF CABLE BELONGING TO AT&T FROM THE POLES. ON WEDNESDAY, MAYOR CRAIG GREENBERG SAYS POLICE ARRESTED FOUR PEOPLE IN CONNECTION TO THIS CRIME. LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT, AND WE’RE GOING TO CATCH THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE. IT’S A CRIME ALL TOO COMMON IN LOUISVILLE. IN 2024, LMPD RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 300 REPORTS OF METAL THEFT, WITH THE MAJORITY INVOLVING COPPER WIRE. THESE THEFTS ARE LEADING TO 911 OUTAGES, POWER FAILURES AND MORE. KYTC ESTIMATES IT HAS SPENT MORE THAN $1 MILLION REPAIRING LIGHTS DAMAGED BY THIEVES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. THAT’S WHY IN OCTOBER, GREENBERG STARTED A TASK FORCE, AND AT&T IS ONE OF THE PARTNERS IN THIS EFFORT. THE REALITY IS, THE DOLLARS SPENT FOR REPAIRING VANDALISM AND THEFT ARE DOLLARS WHICH CANNOT BE USED FOR FUTURE NETWORK UPGRADES OR EXPANSIONS. THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET IS COMING UP WITH AT LEAST ONE SOLUTION THROUGH A NEW PILOT PROGRAM THEY LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS PAST FALL. THEY’RE TRYING TO INSTALL MORE SOLAR POWERED LIGHTS, WHICH TAKES AWAY COPPER WIRING COMPLETELY. A KENTUCKY LAWMAKER IS ALSO TAKING ACTION. WELL, I HAVE A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT JUST SAID, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE’RE GETTING RAVAGED BY THESE, THESE, THESE CRIMINALS. SENATOR BRANDON STORM OF LONDON FILED SENATE BILL 64. IT WOULD CREATE HARSHER PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO STEAL COPPER BY CLASSIFYING THE CRIME AS A FELONY. PROTECTIONS WOULD COVER KEY FACILITIES THAT SUPPORT CABLE, PHONE, BROADBAND, PUBLIC UTILITIES, ELECTRICAL, HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE. THIS IS AFFECTING KEY INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS SUCH AS POLICE DEPARTMENTS, HOSPITALS, MEDICAL CLINICS. AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS AN

Updated: 6:33 PM EST Feb 26, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Updated: 6:33 PM EST Feb 26, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Copper wire theft continues to be a troubling trend across Kentucky.In Louisville, LMPD responded to more than 300 reports in 2024 for metal theft, with a majority being about copper wire. Mayor Craig Greenberg said LMPD recently made four arrests in relation to a copper theft crime. And a Kentucky lawmaker wants to make sure people face stronger criminal penalties for this theft. Kentucky Sen. Brandon Storm of London filed Senate Bill 64. SB 64 strengthens criminal penalties against those who threaten infrastructure security by classifying theft, damage or tampering with critical infrastructure as criminal mischief in the first degree, a Class D felony. Protections would cover key facilities that support cable television, telephone and broadband services, public utilities and power infrastructure, lighting infrastructure, and emergency response communication systems."It's no longer a property theft crime. This is affecting key infrastructure assets such as police departments, hospitals, medical clinics," said Storm. "And so we want to make sure that we're protecting our citizens and also punishing those that are going to be bad actors."Having cleared the Senate, SB 64 moves to the state House of Representatives for consideration. If enacted, an emergency clause added to the bill through a Senate committee substitute means the bill would take effect immediately upon its final passage.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Copper wire theft continues to be a troubling trend across Kentucky.

In Louisville, LMPD responded to more than 300 reports in 2024 for metal theft, with a majority being about copper wire.

Mayor Craig Greenberg said LMPD recently made four arrests in relation to a copper theft crime.

And a Kentucky lawmaker wants to make sure people face stronger criminal penalties for this theft.

Kentucky Sen. Brandon Storm of London filed Senate Bill 64.

SB 64 strengthens criminal penalties against those who threaten infrastructure security by classifying theft, damage or tampering with critical infrastructure as criminal mischief in the first degree, a Class D felony.

Protections would cover key facilities that support cable television, telephone and broadband services, public utilities and power infrastructure, lighting infrastructure, and emergency response communication systems.

"It's no longer a property theft crime. This is affecting key infrastructure assets such as police departments, hospitals, medical clinics," said Storm. "And so we want to make sure that we're protecting our citizens and also punishing those that are going to be bad actors."

Having cleared the Senate, SB 64 moves to the state House of Representatives for consideration. If enacted, an emergency clause added to the bill through a Senate committee substitute means the bill would take effect immediately upon its final passage.

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WLKY Investigates: Kentucky bill looks to strengthen criminal penalties against copper wire theft

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