The Fresno City Council voted 6-0 Thursday to approve an ordinance criminalizing the possession, receipt, or transportation of copper or aluminum wire.

“A lot of people are familiar with the thefts occurring with private businesses. They might be familiar with some of the copper wire thefts that are happening with our ag industry, which are very serious,” Councilmember Tyler Maxwell said. “But it also happens with public infrastructure too. Streetlights are a big example. Telecommunications systems are another one. While the thieves might be making a couple hundred dollars, it could cost us tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace this critical infrastructure. There’s massive delays. It costs the taxpayers a lot of money.”

Thieves target copper components due to their high value as scrap metal. Although they do not typically target aluminum, they damage aluminum components while hunting for copper.

Under the ordinance, a person caught with 10 pounds or more of scrap commercial-grade copper or aluminum wire can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. They may receive an additional fine equal to the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property.

The ordinance also prohibits removing sheathing that protects the wire as well as possessing wire that has had its sheathing removed. Sheathing often carries markings that identify the lawful owner, and when it is removed, law enforcement cannot identify the legitimate owner. Additionally, thieves remove sheathing because recyclers pay more for wire without it.

Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld voiced his support at the City Council meeting, noting that supervisors unanimously passed a corresponding ordinance Tuesday. “At that meeting, Sheriff Zanoni, the ag-crime unit, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, AT&T, and frankly everybody was in support of doing this.”

He urged the council to approve the ordinance. “We need to take action to deal with this problem. The farmers are demanding it. Our constituents are demanding it. Our businesspeople are demanding it.”

Fresno Chamber of Commerce Chairman Nick Rocca praised the cooperative effort of the city, county, law enforcement, and the business community after the county approved its ordinance Tuesday. “This change has happened because we stood together. We’re drawing a line in the sand.”

The ordinance will come back to the Fresno council for a final vote and adoption.

For more updates on Fresno County development and business initiatives, stay connected with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.