LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of people walk across Los Angeles’ 6th Street Bridge every day, but as the sun sets, they disappear, leaving the “ribbon of light” in complete darkness.
“There’s about seven miles of stolen copper wire from end to end,” Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon told CBS News. “So these lights are turning into ATM machines.”
The eye-catching bridge, which crosses the Los Angeles River and the 101 Freeway, connecting the historic Boyle Heights neighborhood with the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District, was due to open to much fanfare in July 2022 at a cost of nearly $600 million, but now Angelenos are shaking their heads in disappointment.
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Over the past year, thieves have slowly stripped the bridge of its lights, poles and copper wire that illuminate its arches, de Leon said, accumulating about $11,000 worth of stolen metal.
“In reality, they’re only getting a small amount of money,” de Leon said, “while taxpayers are paying millions of dollars for repairs.”
The lights are out on some arches of the 6th Street Bridge because thieves are stealing copper. Los Angeles. Dec. 22, 2023. Keith Birmingham/Media News Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
The city’s task force is working to crack down on the thefts and recycling centers that buy stolen copper wire.
Since last year, hundreds of fire hydrants across the city have been stolen for scrap metal, with security camera footage showing suspects knocking them over with a truck and carting them away.
“I can’t believe someone would come into my neighborhood and steal a fire hydrant,” said Crystal Cousins of Los Angeles.
Many replacement parts now have a lock to prevent access to the bolt.
Meanwhile, city officials don’t plan to replace the bridge’s lights until they can find a way to stop thieves from vandalizing it.
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