Concerned Summerlin neighbors worried about dark streets after copper wire theft

On November 13, 2024By Pranco

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Copper wire thieves are leaving some Summerlin neighbors in the dark.

FOX5 reported disruptions in this area for over a month, and today we learned that some improvements have been made.

There is a cluster of outages between Hualapai Way and Town Center Drive from east to west, and Sahara Avenue to the north and Desert Inn Road to the south.

County workers are desperately trying to keep up with repairs.

In the month since FOX5 reported on the issue, the numbers have only gotten worse.

Take it from Esther Astolfi. She has lived in the region for almost thirty years. “I don’t like it. It’s not safe,” Astolfi said.

She worries not only about her dog’s safety, but also about that of other little ones.

“The kids riding the skateboards, all of them, and just people rushing by here,” Astolfi said.

When asked whether drivers cannot see children on zebra crossings, she says that is not possible.

But the province clearly sees that there is a problem.

The Public Works Department currently has a backlog of approximately 300 wire theft locations that need to be repaired.

That’s from approx 200 locations in October, and we’re told repairs will take several months because so many street lights are out.

County officials call it a costly and frustrating problem.

The Public Works Department says nearly a million feet of wiring has been stolen since 2022, which is just over half the distance from the Vegas Valley to Phoenix.

But here at home, Astolfi hopes solutions will come soon.

“Otherwise I think it’s a great neighborhood. It’s a great park and let’s make it safe for everyone,” Astolfi said.

The Public Works Department was in the area Tuesday making repairs, but county leaders did not provide FOX5 with a timeline on when this area will receive repairs, only saying the repairs will take several months.

If you have a problem in your street, they recommend that you report it to the police FixIt Clark County App.