City Expects MacArthur Streetlights Back on by Friday

Bay City News — Workers will begin replacing copper wire along a block of MacArthur Boulevard in San Leandro Tuesday to turn streetlights back on after a late-night theft of underground copper wire left residents in the dark.

San Leandro Public Works Department Director Michael Bakaldin said the lights should be back on by Friday, Aug. 19.

Thieves disconnected the wire from a series of streetlights on MacArthur Boulevard between Estudillo Avenue and Bridge Road overnight between Aug. 4 and Aug. 5.

Bakaldin said that the cost of replacing and installing the wire will be $16,000, although the resale value of the wire the thieves stole was less than $1,000.

"It's not an uncommon thing, this kind of theft of metal is actually fairly common, especially when the price of metal spikes," Bakaldin said.

He said that the person that committed the crime most likely had some experience working with electricity.

"It's not something you can do unless you know what you're doing," he said.

San Leandro police Lt. Jeff Tudor said the crime required someone with a "background where they're comfortable with and understand voltage."

Tudor said the police department is looking into new ways to prevent this kind of theft in the future, and collaborating with the San Leandro Public Works Department to implement new security systems.

He said that despite concerns that the darkened street may embolden some people to commit more crimes, police have not noticed any increase in crime in the area.