Coalition wants to get tough with copper thieves
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By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
The theft of copper has become so pervasive in the state that a coalition of top Hawai'i law officers will propose legislation to increase the penalties for copper thieves and those that facilitate their crimes.
The proposed penalties will be part of a package of four bills and one resolution that will be sent to the Legislature by the Hawai'i Law Enforcement Coalition, a group made up of the four county police chiefs, four county prosecutors, the U.S. attorney and the state attorney general.
In addition to the copper law, the coalition will submit bills proposing:
Copper thefts have confounded law enforcement both here and on the Mainland, according to the coalition. Copper thieves are taking air conditioners from apartment buildings in Tennessee, farm equipment and implements in Washington, and rain gutters from condos in Missouri.
Honolulu police receive one or two new copper theft cases every week, police said.
"Since May of last year, there has been $300,000 worth of damage done to our freeway system by copper thieves," said Peter Carlisle, prosecuting attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. "States across the country are struggling with this problem. This problem is a pressing concern to law enforcement and the community in general."
The proposal creates the offense of "theft of copper," a felony, and adds stricter requirements for the purchase of copper by scrap dealers in order to hold the dealers accountable for violations of mandated reporting requirements, according to the AG's office.
Since May of last year, thieves have ripped out more than 100 light fixtures along freeways in central and West O'ahu.
In November, thieves ripped out 300 feet of copper wire from the underground system that controls the pump system at the Sand Island State Recreational Area. The facility sustained significant damage and the state had to close the park because the pump system was inoperable and the restrooms could not be used.
"They're cutting down telephone poles and pulling out live wires," said Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa. "We've got to address this issue and we will."
Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
