Los Angeles County Battles Surging Fire Hydrant Thefts, Threatening Public Safety

As many as 100 fire hydrants have been pilfered from Los Angeles County in 2023, leaving communities vulnerable and raising alarm.

In a startling development, Los Angeles County has been grappling with a surge in fire hydrant thefts, leaving numerous communities at heightened risk in the event of a blaze. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, detectives are actively investigating the disappearance of fire hydrants from various locations throughout the county.

The scope of the thefts is substantial, with 85 fire hydrants reported stolen from unincorporated areas and 14 from the city of Lynwood. The Century Sheriff's Station is responsible for patrolling both affected areas.

Golden State Water, the owner of the fire hydrants, has disclosed that 302 hydrants were stolen between the start of 2023 and May. The company has recognized the alarming prevalence of thefts in specific communities, including Bell, Compton, Cudahy, Florence-Graham, Gardena, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Los Angeles, Vernon, Walnut Park, West Rancho Dominguez, Westmont, and Willowbrook.

The theft of fire hydrants poses significant safety hazards. Their critical role in ensuring effective fire response and public safety becomes compromised when they are stolen, potentially hindering firefighters' ability to swiftly extinguish blazes. In light of these concerns, the sheriff's office reiterates its commitment to swiftly resolving the issue and restoring all fire hydrants to proper functioning order.

The police investigation into the thefts has been undertaken by detectives from the Century Station and the sheriff department's major crimes bureau. Tampering with fire hydrants constitutes a federal offense, and Golden State Water has issued a strong warning that anyone caught tampering with the water system will face the full extent of legal consequences.

The company has taken proactive steps to combat the thefts by collaborating with local law enforcement and fire services. Furthermore, letters have been sent to scrapyards, reminding them of the illegality of receiving stolen fire hydrants. The company is also working diligently to replace the stolen hydrants and has implemented locks on new hydrants in an effort to prevent further thefts.

The Los Angeles City Fire Department has confirmed its awareness of the reported fire hydrant thefts in the county. However, there have been no recent reports of such thefts within the City of Los Angeles. Nonetheless, the department encourages members of the public to report any missing or damaged fire hydrants to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Anyone with information regarding the fire hydrant thefts is urged to contact the Century Sheriff's Station Detective Bureau or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. The relentless efforts to combat these thefts underscore the paramount importance of protecting public safety and ensuring the availability of critical resources in the event of emergencies.