A stretch of Interstate 84 in Portland has been notably dark at night due to a persistent issue with streetlight theft.
For weeks last year, numerous streetlights were rendered inoperable because thieves made off with valuable copper wire.
Recent reports reveal that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) spent about $720,000 repairing streetlights damaged by these thefts in the Portland metro area alone between November 2023 and November 2024, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
In 2025, the situation shows no signs of improvement, as thieves, often dubbed ‘copper bandits’, have already caused over $500,000 in damages to streetlights and lighting junction boxes.
These criminals exploit the valuable metals inside the streetlights using tools such as prybars, bolt cutters, torches, and sledgehammers.
Despite the open nature of these thefts, police have struggled to catch the culprits.
Drivers passing by are often oblivious to the actions of the thieves or mistakenly believe they are maintenance crews at work.
Sgt. Kevin Allen from the Portland Police Bureau stated that there are currently “no viable investigatory leads” in the recent theft incidents, leaving many cases unsolved.
The rising price of copper, which has increased by approximately 50% since 2019, has been a significant factor in these thefts.
In Portland, stripped copper wire can sell for up to $3.90 per pound, according to Metro Metals, a local scrap-recycling company.
In an effort to deter theft, ODOT has begun installing steel covers on parts of their streetlight infrastructure.
They have also started replacing stolen copper wire with aluminum wire, which is considerably less expensive than copper.
However, the majority of streetlights still utilize copper wire, leaving them vulnerable until thieves discover the content of the wiring.
ODOT spokesperson David House mentioned that the change to aluminum wire has had observable benefits.
“So far, when [thieves] find aluminum wiring, they don’t take it,” he noted.
Aluminum wiring has a notorious past associated with electrical fires due to overheating issues, but modern innovations have made its use much safer, according to Topher Edwards, an Oregon electrician and the training director for the National Electrical Contractors Association.
He views ODOT’s decision to switch to aluminum wiring as a sensible measure under the circumstances.
Copper wire theft is a growing problem not only in Portland but also in other U.S. cities.
In Minneapolis, for instance, thieves have inflicted significant damage, even removing up to a mile of streetlight wiring in a single night, based on city records.
Municipal officials in Minneapolis have explored solutions like solar-powered streetlights and special labeling for copper wiring to thwart illegal sales.
However, the estimated cost of implementing solar panels exceeds $200 million, and studies suggest that they may not provide sufficient power throughout the year.
As such, city leaders have focused their efforts on transitioning to aluminum wire to discourage theft.
Similarly, Washington state transportation officials have adopted aluminum wiring as a strategy to combat streetlight wire theft.
In the Seattle metro area, damages caused by thieves have reached over $500,000 since the start of 2025, according to James Poling, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation.
“Aluminum wiring has proven to be one of the more effective deterrents,” stated Poling.
He added that when thieves attempt to cut the wire and discover it’s aluminum, they often abandon their efforts, which helps reduce costs for the state, despite still incurring labor expenses for repairs.
ODOT acknowledges that if theft weren’t such a pressing issue, they would prefer to continue using copper wire, which is superior in terms of conductivity and longevity.
Ted Miller, ODOT’s maintenance manager and electrician, explained that copper installations are designed to last in harsh environments for 30 to 40 years.
However, given the persistent issue of theft, ODOT has calculated that aluminum is the more practical option for the present.
“Aluminum will have issues over long periods of time,” Miller admitted.
“But it’s less expensive than replacing the wire with copper just to have it stolen again.”
image source from：oregonlive
