LA School Police commended for copper theft arrests

More than a dozen officers in L.A. Unified’s police force received formal recognition by the school district’s superintendent for breaking up a copper theft ring earlier this year.

Superintendent Ramon Cortines told school board members that the police officers performed beyond their assigned duties and saved the school district money in the process.

"I would like our two deputies to call the men and women in blue that gave of their time, changed their schedules to protect our property, our schools, our children, and our adults," Cortines said.

About six months ago, one school after another in the northeast San Fernando Valley reported copper wires cut and ripped from walls. The thefts knocked out electricity on some campuses.

L.A. Schools Police formed a team of about 18 cops, from beat officers to sergeants, to track down and arrest the perpetrators, who they know worked at night. Sergeant David Mackie said the theft wasn't frivolous.

"They’re pulling this wire out of this school. The cost to replace this is taken away from the education of these kids, we could be buying books and things for the classroom, and it’s shutting down certain parts of the building," Mackie said.

The police force patrols L.A. Unified campuses and investigates crimes in and around the schools.

Detective Steve Crowell has a full plate of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon cases. He put some of those aside to work on the copper wire theft investigation.

"We were able to actually observe two of the suspects on campus, removing the wire. That's how we made our first arrest," he said.

Damage in two dozen copper theft incidents totaled about $500,000. The two men school police arrested are each spending 16 months behind bars, Sgt. Mackie says, and they’ll have to repay the district.