On December 27, 2006, I again encountered another Fire Hydrant that is out of service. Drug addicts found it is easy to take the brass nozzles from Chicago Fire Hydrants and get some quick cash. Scrap Metal Junkers are also suspected of taking the brass so they can live a better lifestyle due to the sky high Chicago Taxes. Remember this Fire Hydrant will not connect to a Chicago Fire Truck which means people might die if water is needed to put out a fire. If you see someone suspicious playing around a Chicago Fire Hydrant call 311. Get the licence plates and tell the Chicago Police, the life you save might be your own. This fire hydrant is located at Sacramento and 40th Street. The Chicago Department of Water Management needs to get a handle on this massive problem. Photo by Patrick McDonough.
2 Replies to “Chicago Fire Hydrants Looted for Scrap and Drug Money”
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I DOUBT THAT THEY TAKE STUFF TO MAKE MONEY BECAUSE TAXES ARE TOO HIGH, The price of crack in chicago is too high.
The cost of scrap metal continues to go up. And that’s got some Chicago alderman worried about the city’s fire hydrants.
Alderman Bob Fioretti says a crucial brass ring found in hydrants is scoring big bucks with junk yards.
FIORETTI: The brass that we use, that weighs almost 10 pounds, is the highest quality of brass that’s produced in the United States. And so it’s very expensive.
Scrap yard owners say the rings could fetch up to $15. And Fioretti wants to make sure the sale doesn’t happen. The city council could vote today on an ordinance that would punish junk yards that buy stolen hydrant parts. But it’s unclear how often the thefts occur. Fire department spokesman Larry Langford says he doesn’t think it’s a significant problem.
For Chicago Public Radio, I’m Hunter Clauss.