Los Angeles fire hydrants disappear; a public service tries to thwart thieves

In parts of Los Angeles County, fire hydrants have become a hot topic.

Thieves have stolen at least 302 fire hydrants since the start of 2023 in several areas of the county, according to Golden State Water Co.

Numerous thefts occurred in the communities of Florence-Graham, Willowbrook and West Rancho Dominguez, as well as in east Gardena near the 110 Freeway.

Sometimes thieves unscrewed bolts to remove fire hydrants. Other times, they used a vehicle to knock down the fire hydrant.

Those targeting fire hydrants often used a shut-off valve before dislodging them. But several times they let water gush out.

Law enforcement officials and Golden State Water Co. executives say they believe the hydrants are being taken to recycling centers and sold as scrap metal. Brass used in fire hydrants is particularly in demand.

“We are really alarmed by what is happening,” said Kate Nutting, general manager of the water company's southwest district. “It’s a big public safety issue.”

Thefts have recently increased. The utility company, which owns the region's water infrastructure, began seeing hydrants disappear in late 2022 in parts of Los Angeles County.

“In the first half of 2024, the situation really accelerated,” Nutting said, “which is why we took even more aggressive steps to try to stop it.”

The company's measures include weld-on hydrants to block access to the bolts, Nutting said.

But the thieves continued, using methods such as ramming fire hydrants with vehicles or using specialist tools to remove metal parts.

“In some cases, they're very insistent on removing these parts,” Nutting said.

Crews also installed locked steel covers over the bolts so they cannot be unscrewed.

Golden State Water, a publicly traded utility, said the thefts accounted for losses of more than $1.2 million — costs that are ultimately borne by customers.

The company sent letters to law enforcement emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes, as well as to dozens of metal recyclers, urging them to report any stolen goods. The company emphasized that tampering with fire hydrants is a federal offense.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 85 fire hydrants have been reported stolen this year in unincorporated parts of the county, as well as 14 fire hydrants in the city of Lynwood.

Agents from the agency's Century Station are patrolling the area and investigating.

“These incidents significantly threaten public safety and disrupt essential emergency services,” the sheriff’s department said in an email. “Our investigators are working diligently to identify and apprehend those responsible for these thefts.”

Los Angeles County firefighters said the thefts posed a threat to public safety.

“Fire hydrants are crucial to providing a reliable source of water for firefighting operations, and their absence can hamper rescue efforts and cause delays in extinguishing fires,” the department said in an email.

Experts agree that small delays in fighting fires can be decisive. Venkatesh Kodur, professor and director of the Center for Structural Fire Engineering and Diagnostics at Michigan State University, said the best opportunity to put out a fire, especially a house fire, is in the first five to ten minutes, when the damage is still minimal.

Typically, after 15 minutes, he says, “the damage and the fire increase almost exponentially…and every second matters.”

Kodur said if firefighting work is hampered by the absence of a hydrant, flames can spread more easily.

And while thieves may be attracted by the pay, Kodur says, the fact is that brass, copper and steel don't bring in much money.

“These are people who sell these metals to scrap dealers for peanuts,” Kodur said. “Communities are being put at risk. »

The sheriff's department and fire department urged people to notify law enforcement of any information about the thefts. Officials said residents can call the Century Sheriff's Station at (323) 568-4935 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

In parts of Los Angeles County, residents reported seeing the bare metal bases of fire hydrants protruding from sidewalks.

Golden State Water urged customers to contact the company if they notice a hydrant missing. The company's customer service center can be reached at (800) 999-4033.

“It’s critical for us to replace them as quickly as possible,” Nutting said. “The public safety aspect is our biggest concern.”