American News Apr 23, 2026
'Get a job': Detroit officials beg thieves to stop stripping brass, destroying fire hydrants
"Figure out some sense of income, don’t tear up your neighborhood," one local said.
Roberto Wakerell-Cruz
Montreal QC
Apr 23, 2026
Detroit officials say a wave of thefts has knocked out dozens of fire hydrants in just two days, creating what they describe as a serious public safety risk. The damage is widespread, and crews are now scrambling to catch up. Nearly 75 hydrants on the city’s west side have been vandalized over the past 48 hours, according to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. The incidents are concentrated along Southfield Road and nearby areas, where thieves have stripped brass components from the hydrants, rendering them inoperable.
“We think the number is about 75 so far,” said DWSD Deputy Director Sam Smalley. The stolen parts, including metal nozzles and internal stems, are valued at roughly $600 each. Officials say the pattern of theft is particularly concerning because multiple hydrants in the same area are being targeted.
“One hydrant here or there is manageable, but the problem is whoever's doing this is doing multiple hydrants in a row. So when DFD shows up, they're not going to have a hydrant within 600 or 900 feet, which puts people's lives at risk,” Smalley said, according to local outlet WXYZ.
https://thepostmillennial.com/get-a-job-detroit-officials-beg-thieves-to-stop-stripping-brass-destroying-fire-hydrants
