CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
April 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Maritza Sosa-Nieves, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON COPPER-RELATED VANDALISM IN THE CITY OF POMONA, INCLUDING IMPACTS AND LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Receive and file a report on copper-related vandalism in the City of Pomona, including impacts and legislative efforts.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Pomona is experiencing an increase in copper theft and related vandalism targeting city and business infrastructure. These have resulted in service disruptions, public safety concerns, and approximately $83,400 in repair costs since July 1, 2025. Recent incidents include extensive damage at Ralph Welch Park and Phil and Neil Soto Park, the theft of wiring from 10 streetlight poles on 2nd Street, and a fatality involving an individual attempting to steal copper. In response to this growing problem, the State enacted AB 476 (effective January 1, 2026) to strengthen regulations on junk dealers and recyclers and increase penalties for metal theft. Given current budget limitations, City staff will focus on monitoring these legislative efforts and coordinating internally and with law enforcement to determine how new laws can help Pomona address copper theft and its impacts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This report has no associated fiscal impact. However, rising copper theft and vandalism targeting city parks, traffic signals, and electrical infrastructure have increased costs to repair the damage, placing additional strain on the Public Works Department's already limited budget.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Pomona has faced persistent vandalism, with ongoing thefts of copper wire and damage to electrical infrastructure across the city, including businesses. In this fiscal year alone, the Pomona Police Department has received 58 reports of copper theft, including copper wiring, piping, and metal from AC units, light poles, and electrical boxes.
Most recently, individuals attempted to cut the copper wiring in junction boxes serving the park and ball field lighting at Ralph Welch Park. Although the wires were not stripped or removed, the damage was extensive. Since the circuits are not individually numbered and run throughout the park to multiple poles, repairs require significant time and labor to trace, tone, and rewire each light to restore service.
Phil and Neil Soto Park sustained significant damage and wire-cutting theft, prompting Public Works staff to order solar replacement heads for the entire park to prevent similar incidents. These incidents disrupt park operations, create safety concerns due to inoperative lighting, and result in substantial maintenance costs absorbed by Public Works, which already operates with a limited budget.
Traffic Operations has documented numerous cases where the bases of light and signal poles are forced open, with wiring cut and damaged during attempted copper thefts. In many instances, the attempts are unsuccessful; however, the destruction of the pole infrastructure and electrical systems still necessitates repair or replacement. It takes significant time for staff to research a solution and secure funding for unplanned vandalism, and the lead time for parts further delays repairs. For example, on November 20, 2025, it was reported that all lights were out on the North and South sides of 2nd Street (between Towne & San Antonio). Staff discovered that multiple runs of wire had been taken from both sides of the street; specifically, the copper wire from 10 poles was stolen or broken. The total cost for this job was $29,239 and was completed in late February 2026. Since July 1, 2025, the Public Works Department has spent approximately $83,400 on copper wire-related repairs, covering materials, labor, equipment, and crane services as needed.
Similarly, on February 26, 2026, one of the City’s stormwater lift stations, located on East End just north of the railroad tracks, was vandalized by copper thieves, causing approximately $70,000 in damage. This results in an inability to operate the facility during storm events, causing East End to need to close due to flooding.
Copper-related thefts and vandalism are increasing nationwide. Many cities and businesses have been dealing with this ongoing problem. These acts of vandalism are expensive, and cities and businesses bear the bulk of the repair costs. It is also a very dangerous act, which can result in death or serious harm to individuals committing the act. Unfortunately, a death occurred in Pomona when a copper thief was attempting to strip wire from an electrical room earlier in 2026.
The severity of this ongoing issue prompted Spectrum to offer a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for severely damaging and stealing copper cables, which cut service to hundreds of customers in December 2025.
To combat copper theft, a growing crime trend causing significant damage to city and business infrastructure, California passed AB 476: Metal Theft, which became effective January 1, 2026. AB 476 strengthens rules for junk dealers and recyclers to curb the sale of nonferrous stolen materials. This law mandates stricter proof of ownership for nonferrous metals, including the seller's legal name, date of birth, and residence; increases criminal fines to $5,000 for violators; and establishes a 12-month aggregation window for grand theft of metals, which could lead to harsher penalties.
Additional legislative efforts are underway to curb rampant copper wire theft by strengthening penalties, leading to misdemeanor or felony charges and imprisonment. City staff will monitor the implementation and enforcement of AB 476 and related legislation to assess their impact on copper theft and to identify opportunities to support prosecution efforts. As these laws take effect and resources become available, staff will determine how best to apply new tools to deter thefts, improve recovery of stolen materials, and reduce repeat incidents.
Prepared by:
Maritza Sosa-Nieves, Assistant to the City Manager
Receive and File Report on Copper-related Vandalism