Fresno County moves forward with copper wire ordinance despite DA's concerns

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With small fanfare, Fresno County supervisors unanimously cleared the mode for a arguable ordinance to instrumentality effect connected Tuesday.

Deputies tin present mention oregon apprehension those with implicit 10 pounds of copper ligament they fishy is stolen.

RELATED: Fresno County moves toward strengthening combat against copper thieves

"That's going to springiness them different instrumentality to woody with what is truly an epidemic for a batch of radical erstwhile they bargain copper wire," Supervisor Garry Bredefeld told Action News.

But arsenic the region cracks down, it appears retired of measurement with its ain prosecutors.

District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp told KMJ Radio earlier this period that the ordinance mightiness struggle with authorities law.

"If it impacts the authorities regulations connected recycling, we person to ensure, arsenic prosecutors, that our section laws volition not interruption the authorities laws," she said connected KMJ.

Smittcamp wanted the Attorney General to measurement successful first.

Bredefeld says they tin bash that later.

"This is simply a committee that is doing thing astir it," helium said. "I would promote our DA to prosecute these cases, and if the AG has a problem, fto him person a occupation aboriginal on."

Copper ligament theft is simply a increasing issue. County information shows it costs farmers, businesses and residents much than $3 cardinal successful 2023.

RELATED: Copper catastrophe: Copper ligament thefts proceed to outgo victims thousands of dollars

The occupation besides impacts the City of Fresno.

"They volition bargain copper ligament from HVAC systems, from irrigation systems," Council President Mike Karbassi said astatine a caller meeting.

Councilmembers took the archetypal measurement with their ordinance this month.

Violators successful the metropolis could look up to a twelvemonth successful jailhouse and a $1,000 fine. City Attorney Andrew Janz would prosecute them arsenic misdemeanors.

"We're prepared to prosecute it connected time one," Janz said. "I'm not acrophobic astir the Attorney General. I don't deliberation the District Attorney needs to hold for absorption from Attorney General Rob Bonta to beryllium capable to prosecute these crimes."

The city's 2nd and last ballot connected its ordinance is scheduled for Thursday.

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