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LA Highway Guardrail Thefts Surge: AI Surveillance Offers a Potential Solution

2025-09-06

A surge in guardrail thefts on Los Angeles freeways is jeopardizing public safety. Over the past two years, repairs have cost over $62,000. Thieves target aluminum guardrails due to rising aluminum prices and ease of resale at scrap yards. Caltrans' attempts to deter theft by welding bolts have failed, leading them to consider fiberglass composite materials. Beyond guardrails, copper wire and cable theft also plagues the city, disrupting essential infrastructure like power and transit. AI surveillance systems are being deployed in some areas to detect and predict suspicious activity, offering a new approach to combating metal theft.

Heavy Metals Found in Fire Retardant Used in California Wildfires

2025-04-06

Following recent California wildfires, LAist partnered with USC researchers to test samples of MVP-FX, a fire retardant used in the Palisades and Eaton fires. The tests revealed the presence of toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium. While the manufacturer, Perimeter Solutions, claims the levels are below EPA limits and naturally occurring, their safety data sheet omits this information. Cal Fire and the US Forest Service dismissed the findings, citing potential contamination of the field samples. This investigation raises concerns about the safety and transparency of fire retardants, highlighting potential health risks to firefighters and the public, as well as long-term environmental impacts on aquatic ecosystems.