For years, thieves have stolen the copper wire used in streetlight poles, leaving Los Angeles communities in the dark. The solar-powered streetlights are expected to reduce copper wire thefts because ...

Efforts by Community District 7 to convert streetlights to solar hit a bump in the road Thursday when supervisors rejected all five contractor bids.

While the solar panels are on top of the street light poles, the “Ribbon of Light” wire theft suggests thieves are undeterred by height in their drive to loot valuable city infrastructure.

For decades, street lighting has remained unchanged — but Tampa-based Streetleaf is challenging the status quo with off-grid, solar-powered lights.