'Get a job': Detroit officials beg thieves to stop stripping brass, destroying fire hydrants

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.

City leaders addressed the situation publicly on Wednesday, showing a damaged hydrant and warning that the thefts are directly impacting emergency response capabilities. Some hydrants damaged earlier in the week have already been repaired, but crews are still racing to restore others. “It’s not only a theft to the fire hydrant, but it’s a theft to our citizens, our residents, or firefighters and public safety in general,” said Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Sims. “Totally unacceptable. Fire hydrants are an important part of our infrastructure and no matter how fast we get to a fire, if we don’t have an operable fire hydrant, it takes seconds and even minutes away from us - maybe saving lives.”

Detroit police say they are actively investigating and working with multiple units to identify those responsible. “Our men and women are responding immediately,” said DPD Cmdr. Dietrich Lever. “In fact, some of the hydrants that were vandalized yesterday have already been fixed." He added, “We are collaborating with fire department and talked to neighboring precincts as well as organized crime. We look forward to bringing this to a quick resolution."

Officials also plan to notify scrap yard operators that the stolen materials belong to the city and warn that purchasing them could bring legal consequences.

“If we find you purchasing them, we're going to take action to the fullest extent that we possibly can,” Smalley said.

Residents are being asked to report suspicious activity. One local, Corey Fenderson, reacted bluntly when asked what penalties those responsible should face. “I don’t know exactly but I can tell them is to go get a job,” he said. “Figure out some sense of income, don’t tear up your neighborhood," he told Fox 2.