Henderson seeks public’s help to stop copper wire thefts

With the public’s help, Henderson is hoping to shine a spotlight on a new rash of copper wire theft that has left some city streets in the dark.

About 2,500 feet of copper wire has been stolen from light poles throughout the city in the past six months.

"The replacement cost is $7.50 a foot, so you can see how this can add up," said Henderson spokeswoman Kathleen Richards. In this case, it adds up to almost $19,000.

Rising copper prices and the down economy are probably to blame for the resurgence of wire thefts.

City officials are urging residents to call 911 if they see someone at night crouched over a utility box in the sidewalk or a median strip near a light pole. Even if that person is wearing an orange vest and driving what looks like a utility truck, he or she might not work for the city or a utility.

"With the price of scrap metal going up, thieves are getting bolder," said John Penuelas, traffic engineering manager. "They have zeroed in on Henderson, taking copper wire not only from lonely industrial areas at night, but now residential neighborhoods too."