Vandals Damage Nearly 80 St. Louis Fire Hydrants, Rendering Them Unusable

Vandals have damaged dozens of fire hydrants across St. Louis, Mo., posing a significant danger to public safety, according to the local fire department.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on Friday, Sept. 25, said it was investigating the vandalization of more than 40 fire hydrants across the city. By Wednesday, Sept. 30, that number had climbed to nearly 80, according to KSDK.

The St. Louis Fire Department alerted police to the vandalism, which rendered the fire hydrants incapable of being attached to a firehose. Investigators believe the vandals may be stealing the brass caps to sell for scrap.

“Damaging a fire hydrant puts residents, businesses, and firefighters at risk. If you see someone tampering with a hydrant, call 911 immediately,” the fire department said on social media.

Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson told KSDK said the fire department quickly created a custom device that can be installed as an emergency workaround.

“It gives us the ability to attach to a damaged or vandalized hydrant, still pull water out of that hydrant and provide water to the fire department pumpers and extinguish fires if we have to,” Jenkerson told the outlet.

The department also brought back the use of a hose wagon, which allows firefighters to reach more distant hydrants at fire scenes. Neighboring fire departments have been providing additional water tankers to assist.

The St. Louis Water Division has repaired some of the damaged hydrants, but many older hydrants have to be replaced entirely.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 314-444-2500 and ask to speak with a District 4 detective. Anyone who witnesses hydrant tampering is asked to immediately call 911.