The City Council Tuesday tentatively approved an ordinance that would create a Metal and Wire Theft Reward program, offering money in exchange for information leading to arrests and convictions of people who commit crimes affecting public infrastructure, such as copper wire theft.

In a 8-2 vote, the City Council advanced the proposed ordinance. The measure will require a second vote, scheduled for Oct. 21. It will then need approval by Mayor Karen Bass.

In January 2024, then-Councilman Kevin de Leon, alongside Councilwoman Traci Park and Councilman John Lee, introduced a motion seeking to create a tiered reward system program to solicit help from residents in addressing copper wire theft. Council members later approved the motion and instructed the city attorney to draft the ordinance fo

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