Vancouver Police say metal thieves have opened a “gaping hole in the public safety of our streets.”
124 storm drain covers have been stolen since June, and pedestrians face the danger of stepping into a hole that could be up to six feet deep.
Catch basins are located near curbs and in alleys to drain water from the roadways, and when they are uncovered, most catch basins are a foot or two deep. Others can be as deep as five or six feet.
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“Missing covers pose a significant public safety risk. Pets, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists could all be seriously harmed by an open catch basin,” says Bruce Todd, superintendent of sewer operations with the City of Vancouver. “In the dark, people may not recognize that a catch basin is missing or the open hole may be covered with leaves and debris making it harder to distinguish the hole from solid ground.”
When city staff receive a report of a missing cover they secure the location, mark the danger and if necessary call a crew to replace the stolen cover.
VPD say a cover is made of cast iron and weighs about 140 pounds. They cost $176 to purchase. A scrap metal specialist estimates the grate would possibly fetch $14 on the scrap metal market.
The highest number of thefts occurred south of 41st and on the west side. Most of the thefts have occurred in rear lanes and none of the grates have been recovered.
The losses to the City amount to just over $19,000.
Report open catch basins to the City by calling 3-1-1 (604) 873-7000. Report any suspicious street activity to 9-1-1.
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