Streetlight Thefts In Leave Milwaukee Residents In Darkness

The Department of Public Works in Milwaukee is having a huge problem with thieves breaking into the streetlights, but why are they doing it in Wisconsin?

Why Are Thieves In Wisconsin Breaking Into Streetlights?

I believe the statute of limitations is past, so it's safe to share this story. Back in high school, one of my friends could climb street sign poles with ease. He also had a tool that could easily cut through the metal strap that held those street signs up. All you had to do was put in a request; in a couple of days you would have one. That's how I got my Terry Lane sign that is currently hanging up in my basement. At the time, I thought it was a harmless crime, but a few years later I found out it was.

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According to WISN ABC 12...

People are stealing the copper wiring out of Milwaukee's streetlights, according to the city's Department of Public Works, which told WISN 12 News there have been 10 of the thefts in recent weeks. It's knocking out streetlights across the city.

 

A street light with a blue sky in the background

The house I grew up in was on the corner of a pretty busy street, so we had two streetlights to keep our yard lit up at night. It was a nice bonus to have. Plus, it kept the pranksters away. Do you remember when the city of Rockford turned off part of the streetlights for a couple of years? The neighborhoods are a lot scarier that way.

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Some neighborhoods in Milwaukee are having issues with their streetlights. Many of them are not working. The residents weren't happy with the situation, so they called the local public works department. When the tech got into the streetlights to see what the problem was, they immediately spotted the problem. Thieves are breaking into the streetlights and stealing the copper wire instead. That causes them to stop working. Hopefully, they can take care of the problem soon.