Copper theft and graffiti issues on the 6th Street Bridge continue to afflict the one-time Los Angeles showpiece.
The replacement bridge, equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting system, opened to much fanfare in 2022, but the once dubbed “Ribbon of Light” has since gone dark.
“Our Sixth Street Bridge in Los Angeles no longer lights up at night and it is covered with graffiti. Thieves repeatedly steal the copper wiring and have left the bridge in the dark. Patrol has been increased and graffiti removal requested,” Los Angeles Police Commander Lillian L. Carranza posted on X last week.
Carranza added that fixing the issues, including copper wire theft, street takeover, graffiti, lack of lighting and the need for ongoing funding, would require a “multi-layered, community-focused approach.”
District 14 Councilmember Ysabel Jurado issued an update on X about the bridge — which spans downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights — a day after Carranza’s post.
“Big news! Crews cleared graffiti from 6 arches of the iconic Sixth Street Bridge, and it’s now on the weekly cleanup route!” Jurado’s post reads. The councilmember also thanked the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and the community for their help in keeping the neighborhoods clean.
Copper theft has become a major issue around Los Angeles.
In April, stolen wiring in Los Feliz left entire streets in pitch darkness. A security camera in the neighborhood caught a male suspect in the act. The video shows the neighborhood go dark as the suspect cuts the wires.
In July of last year, city leaders announced that its Heavy Metal Task Force had arrested nearly 100 people and seized 2,000 pounds of stolen copper wire.
Despite ongoing efforts, the 6th Street Bridge remains dark for the time being.
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