MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Milwaukee aldermen moved forward Wednesday with a resolution aimed at cracking down on copper wire theft and damage to the city's street lighting system.

Milwaukee Department of Public Works officials said wire thefts surged late this summer and have cost the city more than $800,000.

The proposed resolution would allow the city to pursue civil penalties against people accused of damaging or stealing copper wire, in addition to any criminal charges they may face.

DPW officials said residents can also play a role in helping identify potential thefts, particularly at night.

"I would say if you see folks, especially at nighttime, a lot of our street lighting folks do not work at night due to the danger of working with electricity during the night hours," Milwaukee Department of Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said. "So if the public does see someone in a yellow vest, especially with street lighting, please call because that's a big indicator that that theft is probably occurring."

City officials have said the thefts can lead to streetlight outages and expensive repairs, while also creating safety concerns for neighborhoods affected by the damage.

Aldermen voted Wednesday to move the resolution forward without objection.