We all take for granted the fact that there are drainage grates along the sides of our streets to take away excess water when it rains.
When you run over one of the grates in your car, you may notice a little bump. But just imagine what would happen to you and your car if the drainage grate had been removed and one of your wheels dropped into an unprotected void!
There could be serious personal injury and big automobile property damage.
Unfortunately, some metal thieves have realized the stormwater and sewer grates may be stolen and sold for scrap — creating both personal danger and needless expense for our taxpayers.
Chattanooga reportedly has spent $11,795 in just the past couple of months to replace missing grates, at a cost of about $305 each. But a thief may get only about $10 from a theft.