Saint Paul, MN - Governor Tim Walz today visited Como Park Pavilion in Saint Paul to highlight the need for legislation to curb copper wire theft. Governor Walz and Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter surveyed streetlights damaged by copper wire theft. Photos from the event are linked here.

“Copper wire theft is damaging to our safety, our infrastructure, and local government budgets,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for the partnership with St. Paul to come up with a plan to address the crime head-on. We know that targeting illegal sales is an approach that works - since passing legislation aimed at catalytic converter theft, we’ve seen theft of vehicle parts decline by 80 percent.”

Governor Walz supports legislation that will help end copper wire theft and shut illegal sellers out of the market.

Last year, Governor Walz signed a bill to crack down on catalytic converter theft. Since the law took effect in August, Minnesota has seen a sharp decrease in those crimes.