E.V. cities see jump in theft of manhole covers

They may be large, bulky and heavy, but city officials said that hasn’t stopped thieves from stealing manhole covers and steel grates from roads in the Phoenix area. It’s costing cities time and money to replace them, officials said.

“They are stealing these things left and right. It’s hard to keep up,” said Richard Vega, with the Phoenix Streets Department.

Phoenix reported that in 2007, six storm grates and three manhole covers were stolen.

So far in 2008, 175 storm grates and more than 30 manhole covers have been taken in Phoenix. In Mesa, thieves have stolen 30 storm grates since the beginning of June.

Glendale officials said they have lost seven manhole covers in the past few months.

The price of iron and steel remains modest compared with copper, but has increased significantly in recent years.

Kraig Kosier of Glendale Iron and Metal, a recycling company, said steel used to be so cheap that people would bring it in and not get paid for it.

“They wanted to get rid of it, and we couldn’t get much of anything for it,” Kosier said.

Five years ago, Glendale Iron and Metal was paying $30-$40 for a ton of steel.

That same amount now costs $230, primarily because of increased demand for steel in China and India, where there’s a building boom.

Stealing manhole covers and grates can be dangerous, because it leaves a gaping hole that presents a danger to drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians. So far, nobody has been hurt.

“It’s an unbelievable hazard,” said Jerry Carlson, with Glendale’s streets department. “We secure them with sandbags and barriers right away before we cover them.”

Phoenix police said the thefts don’t make a lot of sense. Lt. Vince Miaso, with the Phoenix Police Department’s metal-theft task force, said the grates and covers are scrap metal. “They are iron or steel, not copper. You have to take a lot to get some money.”

Valley police departments said they are working with scrap-metal businesses to make sure the businesses are not buying stolen goods.