ADOT installs new sensors on freeway lights to deter copper wire theft

The Arizona Department of Transportation is installing sensors on freeway lightposts to combat copper wire theft.

The new sensors detect when power has been cut to a light pole, setting off an alarm and alerting authorities.

ADOT says thieves have been stealing copper wire from light poles on freeways to sell for scrap.

The thefts have been occurring for decades across the Valley and are estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

“It is an effort to see if we can spot the criminal activity of wire theft and, and alert law enforcement as quickly as possible,” said Doug Nintzel, a spokesperson for ADOT.

Nintzel said the new sensors detect when the power is cut to a light pole, setting off an alarm and alerting law enforcement.

“There are stretches where folks working under the cover of darkness, unfortunately, they're able to steal the copper wire for our lighting systems and that'll really knock out a, an entire bank of lights,” Nintzel said.

Nintzel said the sensors have been successful so far, having caught some thieves in the act.