It doesn't take much to black out entire streets. Thieves open streetlight covers, tie one end to a tow hitch on a pickup and drive off with copper wire unraveling right behind them.

According to Jerry Way, Director of Dept. of Transportation (DOT), the backlog to fix all 200 locations is up to six months, providing there are no new thefts.

"That's 200 locations thousands of feet long," Way said.

Residential neighborhoods are DOT's primary concern, then business districts. DOT may restore some lighting to Belvedere and 82nd Street soon, but it will take at least 6 months to bring back all the lights for the entire darkened half-mile.

City Council approved $460,000 to purchase locking lids for light posts, but it's not enough to keep up with continued theft.

"I would love to be able to have the people of Power Inn Alliance come in and help fix the lights," Way said. "Being this is a City project, we must bid it out and go through the process."

DOT and Sac Police are targeting recycling buyers who sidestep lawful protocol. Most local recyclers do comply, but some slip through the cracks and "middlemen," who buy suspicious material, do so quietly. Still, by the time it reaches recyclers the damage has been done.

City-hired contractors have highly visible City of Sacramento logos on their trucks. Way advises reporting anyone working on a light pole or sidewalk utility box without a visible City logo on the vehicle door.

• Immediately contact PD non-emergency 264-5471 (have officer dispatched), or the Alliance 453-8888 or text the info to dawn@powerinn.org.
• Take as much detail as possible:
     - Type and color of vehicle
     - Time of day
     - Street location
     - Description of suspect(s)
• Employees who work early morning or late shifts are encouraged to keep a lookout.

Also, all faxes from metal buyers should be sent to Alliance Program Manager Dawn Carlson. Fax them to 453-8880 or email dawn@powerinn.org