Brazen thieves are endangering New Yorkers by stealing manhole covers at an alarming rate, and Con Edison is asking customers to help catch those responsible.
More than 30 manhole covers have been stolen in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx since early March, presumably by thieves selling the covers for scrap metal, and leaving lethal holes in streets and sidewalks. Con Edison is working closely with the NYPD on the problem.
The company said witnesses have described individuals dressed in utility apparel, but without any Con Edison or other utility markings, prying open manhole covers using a car jack, loading the covers onto pick-up trucks, and then driving away.
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2 Responses
When I learn about a Bor Bereshus Harabim I usualy think about historical times and wells being left uncovered. From now on though in my mind will be manhole covers and scrap metal dealers.
That is an excellent point – obviously what the YWN editors were thinking when they selected this article for inclusion on their website.
Another common case – people have holes dug in the street in front of their house for Water Main repairs, and sometimes they have to be left open for a few days until the job is completed.
They might be too heavy for a common thief, but I bet those huge steel plates that cover the construction in the streets are much more valuable than manhole covers.