2017‑2022 – Los Angeles experiences a sharp rise in streetlight outages tied to copper theft, establishing a pattern of infrastructure vulnerability that later resurfaces statewide[1].

2024 – AT&T records 2,200 copper‑theft incidents in California (up from 71 in 2021), spends over $60 million on related costs and offers rewards up to $20,000, stressing that outages jeopardize emergency services and hospitals[1].

June 2024 – June 2025 – Industry data show more than 15,000 destructive attacks on domestic communication networks, affecting 9.5 million customers, with copper theft identified as a major driver[1].

2025 (year‑to‑date) – U.S. copper prices climb >30 % and hit all‑time highs, fueled by a surge in data‑center construction and tariff speculation, making stolen copper increasingly lucrative[1].

Oct 2025 – Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB‑476, tightening penalties for copper theft and targeting junk dealers, joining 12 other states that enacted similar laws in 2025[1].

Dec 22, 2025 – Thieves strip 38,000 ft (≈7 mi) of copper wire from the Sixth Street Bridge, causing about $2.5 million in damage; Assemblymember Mark González notes “ongoing losses” linked to construction sites and post‑fire rebuilding[1].

Dec 22, 2025 – Los Angeles continues to report persistent streetlight outages caused by copper theft, echoing the 2017‑2022 trend and underscoring the city’s chronic problem[1].

Dec 22, 2025 – AT&T reiterates the broader societal impact of copper‑theft‑induced outages, emphasizing risks to emergency responders and hospitals as thefts surge nationwide[1].

Feb 21, 2026 – Around 9 p.m., thieves cut copper between Angle Lake and Federal Way Downtown stations on Sound Transit’s 1 Line, halting trains overnight; full service resumes just before 10:50 a.m. Friday[2].

Feb 21, 2026 – Sound Transit deploys bus bridges and a shuttle train to keep riders moving while crews repair the damaged line[2].

Feb 21, 2026 – The incident marks the second copper theft on the 1 Line in two weeks, following an earlier theft that disrupted service before the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl parade[2].

Feb 21, 2026 – Agency announces heightened security measures—additional cameras, patrols, and surveillance—calling the response an “utmost urgency” amid a national rise in similar thefts[2].

Feb 21, 2026 – Riders voice frustration: Ben Faulkner says the theft is “not good” but unsurprising, noting copper’s cash value and safety risks; Glenda Adams says the delays “anger” her[2].

Feb 21, 2026 – A separate incident damages the overhead contact system on the 2 Line between Overlake Village and Redmond Technology stations, suspending service and requiring ongoing repairs[2].