RTD Sees Copper Wire Theft Reduction Year After Launch of Detective Bureau

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) has seen a 68 percent reduction in copper wire thefts compared to the previous year. The agency recorded eight copper wire theft incidents through September 2026, compared with 25 throughout the same time last year.

Four individuals have been arrested for copper wire thefts, supported by the Transit Police Detective Bureau, which was launched just over a year ago. To deter the sale of stolen materials, the agency established partnerships with local scrap metal yards to raise awareness about copper wire thefts from rail lines.

The Detective Bureau focuses on a breadth of investigations—including thefts generally under $300, criminal mischief, menacing, harassment, and fraud. It bolsters the ability of RTD transit police to collaborate with partner agencies that may face resource constraints in pursuing RTD-related investigations. 

“By having dedicated investigators who understand the unique dynamics of transit policing, we’re able to coordinate more effectively with our law enforcement partners,” said RTD Transit Police Commander Jonathan Holloway. “These essential partnerships have been invaluable in assisting us in the event of arrests. They also enable transit police to meaningfully contribute to joint public safety efforts.”

The launch of a new mobile app also contributes to making RTD a more secure and welcoming environment. NextRide allows customers to not only purchase digital fares and plan trips but also discreetly report unwanted activity. The agency updates its security-related metrics monthly, reporting an average of one security-related call for every 2,330 boardings.