Let's Keep the Lights On
- Dustin Karstetter
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
As a member-owned risk pool, CIS partners with Oregon cities and counties to identify emerging risks early and help members protect public infrastructure before small exposures become costly losses. Proactive awareness, practical prevention, and shared responsibility are central to how CIS supports local governments in managing risk and safeguarding their communities.
In local government, exposures could be right around the corner, sometimes literally. A growing municipal threat is streetlight electrical wiring theft and it could be hitting a street corner in your city or county, threatening to darken neighborhoods and result in public safety concerns, along with costly repairs. With the City of Springfield recently experiencing a significant loss — and similar incidents in cities such as Tacoma, Los Angeles, and St. Paul — this Real-Time Risk highlights how these thefts typically occur and practical steps your entity can take to help prevent them.
Anatomy of a Wiring Theft
While there may be other novel approaches, criminals often employ a two-step method when stealing wire from streetlights. They will first cut wires at the junction boxes during the day, as the level of noise and activity helps reduce the risk of being caught. Then, the thieves return at night to pull out the pre-cut wires, using added cover from the now-darkened streetlight.
Risk Reduction Options
As your entity evaluates how best to protect your infrastructure and the cost associated with wiring theft, please consider some of these common methods:
Replacement – In Clark County (Nevada), a large-scale project is currently underway to swap all copper wiring in up to 65,000 street poles with aluminum and putting up signage to reflect the material change. Another option is to consider moving from electric to solar lighting.
Physical Hardening – For members planning future streetlight installments, consider anti-theft components during the foundation phase, such as the Chance Anti-Theft Lighting Foundation. Other options could include adding tamper-resistant materials or features to wiring covers, even going as far as welding those covers shut to further deter attempted theft.
Artificial Intelligence – As several public entities explore increased use of AI tools for efficiency, companies like Tondo Smart have developed advanced technology to help public entities detect and prevent electricity and/or wire theft in real-time.
Community Involvement – While considerably more low-tech than the other options listed, engaging with your local community to combat wiring theft is just as important. Championing a program like Neighborhood Watch or “Eyes on the Street” is also a great way to rally your residents’ support through a public awareness campaign, creating collective ownership of your entity’s assets and their well-being. It also happens to be quite affordable, especially on a tight budget!
Best Practices for Prevention Through staff efforts and collaboration with your CIS Risk Consultant, here are some recommended steps to help protect your entity’s wiring infrastructure:
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Underwriting/Claims – Advice
In addition to preventative measures, CIS members can consider property coverage for their streetlights and traffic lights/signals. For those interested in this coverage, these items would be scheduled as property in the open (PIO) and appraised if the value threshold is met.
Considerations:
Premium varies by member, depending on current property deductible and value of the property.
Each traffic signal/light or streetlight must be scheduled individually on your policy.
For additional coverage-related information, contact your agent or CIS Underwriting.
As streetlight wiring theft becomes more prevalent, CIS members can reduce losses and service disruptions by taking a layered approach — combining physical hardening, material and design choices, monitoring and detection, and community awareness. These practical prevention steps help protect critical infrastructure, support faster response and recovery when incidents occur, and keep local streets safely lit — advancing CIS’ shared vision of Oregon communities that are safer, stronger, and healthier.
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