Anyone who steals copper wire from public utilities in Louisville, such as light poles and telephone lines, will face new penalties.

Mayor Craig Greenberg signed an ordinance into law Tuesday morning that makes the possession of infrastructure wire a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 or as much as a year in jail. The ordinance also places new regulations on scrap metal recyclers to help police better identify people who sell stolen copper wire.

Greenberg said he believes the ordinance will make it easier to prosecute copper wire thieves.

“We’re trying to protect the entire community from thieves and that includes the businesses who unknowingly buy stolen metal,” he said.

As part of the ordinance, licensed scrap metal recyclers will have to take photos of people se

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