Copper wire theft and infrastructure vandalism pose dangerous risks to public safety and connectivity across California with significant consequences for local communities.
AT&T alone experienced 3,380 copper theft incidents in California so far in 2025, a staggering increase compared to just 71 incidents in 2021. Copper theft impacts everyone. These pervasive crimes disrupt essential communications services, disable streetlights, sever phone and broadband connections, and create multi-million-dollar repair costs that take resources away from more secure and reliable ways to connect communities.
We must work together to ensure our communities thrive and do not let these crimes disrupt progress.
Combating the copper theft crisis in California and across the nation requires strong coordination across industry, community, and local, state and federal officials. AT&T has worked closely with stakeholders and leaders far and wide to help mitigate impacts to communications infrastructure. We are helping to lead the industry in advancing solutions and driving collaboration to safeguard infrastructure, and we are modernizing the networks that keep Californians connected.
Read on to learn how we’re taking action to help prevent future crime:
AT&T Hosts Industry Summit
Industry leaders, associations, law enforcement and federal and state officials gathered with AT&T in October at the Summit on Protecting Critical Communications Infrastructure in El Segundo. The summit focused on raising awareness about the escalating incidences of theft and vandalism impacting critical communications infrastructure and exploring actionable solutions to mitigate these threats across the nation.
The summit featured a keynote speech from FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty and included a fireside chat between AT&T California President Susan Santana and Attorney General Rob Bonta. We also held a Lead & Learn session that focused on educating and engaging our employees on this key issue and AT&T’s efforts to hold bad actors accountable.
Watch Fireside Chat with Susan Santana and Attorney General Rob Bonta here.
In Case You Missed It…
While in Southern California for the Summit on Protecting Critical Communications Infrastructure, local reporters joined AT&T technicians to check out recent locations of theft and discuss the serious consequences communities face due to copper wire crime.
Watch here: Copper thieves hit AT&T underground vault in South Los Angeles (ABC 7)
State Ramps up Efforts to Thwart Copper Crime
California Attorney General Convenes Leaders to Address Infrastructure Crime
California Attorney General Rob Bonta hosted two community roundtables this summer — in Los Angeles in June and San Jose in August — to address the growing threat of copper theft and infrastructure vandalism in California. AT&T California President Susan Santana participated in both sessions and the press conferences that followed. The roundtables convened law enforcement, local government, business and community leaders who underscored the need for stronger deterrents, increased prosecutions, and better coordination between jurisdictions to effectively combat copper crime in the state. Attorney General Bonta also announced a statewide law enforcement bulletin reinforcing legal requirements for metal recyclers and the consequences of noncompliance.
Governor Signs AB 476 to Help Curb Copper Theft
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 476 on October 13, authored by Assemblymember Mark González, as a step forward to help mitigate these crimes and better protect our communities. By enhancing reporting requirements, expanding restrictions on scrap metal possession, and increasing fines to better reflect the cost of damages, AB 476 helps give law enforcement the tools they need to attack this growing issue on multiple fronts.
“AT&T has long championed efforts to combat copper theft and protect California’s communications infrastructure,” said Susan Santana – President, AT&T California. “Assembly Bill 476 is a tangible step in the right direction to help curb crime and reduce threats to public safety. With Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature and Assemblymember Mark González’s leadership, AB 476 equips law enforcement with additional tools to combat the copper theft crisis and help protect the communications networks that keeps Californians safe and connected.”
Read more about the impact of AB 476 here.
Doing our Part to Hold Criminals Accountable
AT&T continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000 for specific and detailed information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for copper cable thefts or the attempted sale or purchase of stolen copper cable across California.
We announced the reward this summer as a call to action for communities to work together to protect the infrastructure that powers our daily lives. Working alongside law enforcement and communities, AT&T is dedicated to maintaining connection and access to vital services while improving public safety.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity, such as unmarked (non-AT&T) vehicles or individuals cutting and removing cables. Tips can be reported to local law enforcement or AT&T Global Security at (800) 807‐4205. AT&T’s reward offer is valid for leads received through February 1, 2026.
Our Commitment to Connectivity
Everything we do at AT&T is rooted in connecting people. Copper lines underpinned that connectivity for decades, but copper-based networks are less reliable today than modern options, and are more costly, diverting critical resources away from fiber and wireless networks that meet Californians’ needs.
Network modernization is our best path forward to deliver faster internet speeds, better reliability and stronger security. AT&T invested more than $14 billion in our California network infrastructure from 2020-2024, with more than 11 million strand miles of fiber available to serve more than 3.35 million customer locations in California. We’re building a future-ready network that Californians can depend on today and for generations to come.
