ST PAUL, Minn. — Thieves are targeting St. Paul's iconic lantern-style light posts and stealing the copper wiring.
The city's public works director estimates several thousand have been hit so far and it's leaving several areas in the dark.
The city council is also investing about $800,000 in replacing the posts and creating solutions to prevent the theft from occurring.
"It's really frustrating," said City Council President Amy Brendmoen, who represents Como Park. "When I see it when I’m walking around the lake, it really makes my heart sink."
Brendmoen said she first started noticing the problem in 2021. Since then, crews have tried a variety of enforcement methods from wrapping the posts with a metal band to welding the bases shut, even using technology that notifies the police department when a circuit is cut, which has resulted in some of the suspects being caught.
"This is more than just a person out there doing this work," said Brendmoen. "There's got to be some level of organization."
Thieves may get upwards of $30 for the copper, but it costs the city about $2,500 to fully restore a light post. Brendmoen admits to not being entirely confident in some of the current fixes.
"I feel like where there's a will, there's a way," she said. "We need to stop the demand and I think the demand goes beyond our local scrap yards."
The crime is also compromising safety making it dangerous to drive, walk and ride a bike, not just around the local lakes, but to cross major thoroughfares like Lexington Parkway.
The city says while the taxpayer funds are available through its lighting budget, using it takes away from its ability to continue its transition to LED lights and fixing any that are broken.
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