Members of a historic church in South Los Angeles pointed out to City Councilman Marquise Harris Dawson on Sunday that a landmark item, a bronze plaque, was missing from the building.

Harris Dawson said Bethel AME Church's plaque, which withstood the Great Depression, racial injustice and other economic downturns, disappeared several weeks ago. The plaque may have been stolen amid a surge in copper wire and bronze thefts in the city.

“I think we're seeing a mutation of petty theft, and we need to look at it seriously and deeply,” Harris-Dawson said. His district has also seen a “spreading out” of streets targeted by thieves.

The anecdote came at the end of Wednesday's nearly hour-long debate (more than half the council members spoke) on whether to approve a motion by City Council members Kevin de Leon and Tracy Park to stop copper wire theft. shared. Beyond wire theft, the lively conversation highlighted councilors' differing approaches to crime, with some wanting more prevention efforts and others calling for accountability.

The motion, which passed on a 13-2 vote, would create a task force in collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Street Lighting and establish a reward program to encourage people to submit information about thefts. It has become.

City Council member Eunice Hernandez said the incentive program “misses an important step in understanding the root of this problem.”

“Instead of waiting to intervene until the damage is done and expanding the city’s efforts and resources with reward programs focused on punitive measures, why not consider how we can stop this cycle together? ” Hernandez said he voted against the motion.

Hernandez praised Councilwoman Heather Hutt's Jan. 9 motion to consider replacing copper lines with solar-powered lights. Hernandez said such efforts address the root cause of the problem rather than spending money on “Band-Aid solutions.” (Mr. Hutto did not speak during Wednesday's debate, but voted to approve both motions.)

Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez supported the incentive program, noting that accountability is needed to prevent further expense to taxpayers.

“We cannot make it easier for them to continue to break into these systems, steal copper wire, turn it into cash, and create a greater public safety threat,” he said of the thieves.

Council President Paul Krekorian drew the council's attention to “unscrupulous purchasers of stolen metal”, saying they were the “real root” of the problem.

Crekorian and City Atti from November. Heidi Feldstein Soto targets people who receive stolen metal. He said the way to prevent crime is to make sure it's not profitable.

Port Area Councilor Tim McCosker lamented the loss of plaques from his constituency at the American Merchant Marines Veterans Memorial and other memorials commemorating fishing families and longshore workers.

McCosker noted that the Port of Los Angeles Police Department arrested Dionzay Tisby, 42, Brittany Draper, 37, and Deonna Jackson, 28, on grand theft charges in connection with the plaque theft.

City Councilman Hugo Sotomartínez joined Hernandez in opposing the motion, despite initially supporting the idea. He asked his colleagues to understand that this theft may have been committed by people driven to acts of desperation in poverty.

Sotomartinez called on Congress to be “enlightened legislators” and promote prevention efforts.

“I understand that that's probably part of the solution, rather than just getting paid and criminalized. But at the end of the day, that doesn't solve the problem,” Sotomartinez said. he said.

In response, City Councilor Imelda Padilla acknowledged Sotomartinez's point about poverty, but disagreed that those responsible were “poor criminals.”

“This is really sophisticated, sophisticated, sophisticated, smart, organized crime,” she said.

Councilman John Lee also pointed out that funds Sotomartinez would like to see go to youth centers and community programs are instead being spent on expensive measures to deter thieves. rallied against Mr. Martinez.

“We are no longer focusing on the victim, but on the person who committed the crime,” he said. “I don't understand why we shouldn't look at everything we have at our disposal.”

De Leon said he appreciates a wide range of viewpoints on the issue, but made it clear that the motion prioritizes public safety and aims to represent residents' concerns.

In late December, thieves stole a third of 6th Street Viduct's copper wire. The city of De Leon, whose district includes the structure, said the individuals could receive $11,000 in “closing value” for the stolen items. But repairs will cost taxpayers $2.5 million.

“It doesn't criminalize this act, because it's already a crime,” de Leon said.