LA City Council approves metal and wire theft reward program

The Los Angeles City Council approved a reward program on Tuesday aimed at curbing precious metal theft.

If signed by Mayor Karen Bass, the ordinance will allow the city to offer a $5,000 reward for information in felony grand theft cases and a $1,000 reward for information in misdemeanor theft investigations.

In addition to light fixtures and copper wires, the ordinance will provide a reward for information on the theft off city plaques, tombstones, statues and metals linked to the Sixth Street Bridge.

The Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles, originally called the "Ribbon of Light," is a glaring example, as it sits in darkness with seven miles of copper wire stolen and stripped from the 2023-built bridge.

While the stolen copper is valued at $11,000, repairs to rewire it for l