Apr 24, 2014 2 min read

Cecil Township police reported thieves stole four sewer grates from local streets last week. Such thefts are hardly unique; in fact, they’ve become quite common.

The thieves get cash at scrap yards in exchange for the grates, copper and other metals they steal. Pennsylvania does have a scrap-metal law that requires those redeeming scrap to show identification and for recyclers to record license numbers and maintain records of transactions, but either the law is not strong enough or it is simply not being enforced. Copper theft is a serious problem for construction companies and electric companies in particular, and for everyone who must endure the rising costs that are a result.

Distinguishing stolen copper from that which is truly scrap may be difficult, but sewer grates are quite a different thing. One not in place over a sewer is bound to be stolen, and every recycler knows that. Taking them in exchange for cash is receiving stolen property, plain and simple.

Stolen sewer grates and manhole covers are not just expensive for local governments to replace. Debris flowing unimpeded can clog sewers leading to huge repair costs and traffic congestion when streets are torn up to do the repairs. And then there is the danger of vehicles hitting the openings or children falling into them while playing.

This is not petty crime. The price for scrap metals is high now and not likely to decline soon. The problem will only worsen unless police and others in law enforcement take it more seriously.