LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- City leaders are taking steps in their effort to crack down on copper wire theft.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg signed a new ordinance Tuesday that makes possessing stolen infrastructure wiring—such as copper wiring—a Class A misdemeanor. The punishment is a fine of up to $500 or a year in jail.
The ordinance also requires scrap metal recyclers to photograph sellers, their IDs and vehicles, and only pay by mailed check.
Earlier this month, seven people were arrested in connection with a series of "high-value copper wire thefts," Greenberg's office said at the time. That investigation started with a tip from a local scrap yard reporting individuals were selling "suspicious burnt wire consistent with communications infrastructure used by AT&T and other service providers." That wire was tied back to the city's essential communications network.
Investigators believe the operation could be tied to crimes involving traffic systems along interstate highways and "critical corridors" operated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The ordinance being signed Tuesday is the latest in the city's effort to combat copper wire theft. City leaders announced the creation of a Critical Infrastructure Task Force last October, which launched in July, as part of its crackdown on copper wire theft. The task force is a public-private partnership that brings together city departments, utilities and law enforcement to help identify and prosecute people stealing copper wire from the city's interstates.
The city has also installed more surveillance cameras and a new tamper-detection system that alerts police in real time when copper wire is being removed.
City leaders said the law will help police track down and prosecute copper thieves. Greenberg said companies, like AT&T, are aware of what's at stake.
"At AT&T, we say that connecting changes everything. But we cannot fulfill that promise for customers if we get our lines stolen and cut off," Carlos Sanchez, AT&T Kentucky president, said.
Officials have said copper wire thefts are to blame for Louisville interstates going dark as thieves target critical infrastructure, such as light poles.
Louisville's ordinance comes after Kentucky legislators passed Senate Bill 64 during the 2025 session. The new law makes it a felony to tamper with or damage critical infrastructure in the state. This includes messing with cable, telephone, broadband, and electrical highway infrastructure.
Anyone with information about copper theft or infrastructure-related crimes is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 502-582-CLUE (2583). Cash rewards are available for those providing tips which lead to prosecution.
Previous Coverage:
Louisville ramps up efforts to combat copper thefts with new law, regulations
Task force formed to stop copper thefts that leave Louisville streets dark
Kentucky to launch new pilot program using solar-powered lighting to deter copper thefts
Louisville recycling centers stay alert for stripped copper wire stolen from interstate lights
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
