JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Family members and neighbors continue their push to try and get a fence around a Westside retention pond off Nolan Street where a 6-year-old boy drowned last weekend, but another major concern was four uncovered storm found just feet away from the pond on Wednesday.
One neighbor told the I-TEAM that the drains are not only dangerous, but barely visible from the street. The neighbor said residents in the area are worried now more than ever because of the recent tragedy.
As of Thursday, three of the storm drains have been covered but the fourth, closest to the pond, was stilled uncovered, but taped off.
The city of Jacksonville told the News4Jax I-TEAM Wednesday that it believes people are stealing the covers.
So the I-TEAM spoke with Christopher Withy, who works in the scrap metal business, to find out why.
Even though the covers are heavy, and illegal to take, Withy said people still do it anyway.
“A storm drain weighs about 250 pounds apiece and metal, right now, is anywhere, right now, from 2 cents a pound to 5 cents a pound and it’s just a quick way for them to get a lot of weight,” Withy said.
Residents believe it’s an accident waiting to happen.
“Not just that, cars, somebody cuts the corner or a curb and don’t know it’s there and blows out their tire.
The I-TEAM measured one of the drains at 11-feet deep.
In 24 hours, the city ended up putting chains that connect two grates, but the I-TEAM did not see anything connecting the grates to the actual drain.
Withy said if someone shows up trying to sell the grates, they are instructed to stall them and call police. He said they’ve had to do it before.
“There’s a lot of scam artists out there and a lot of people that do dirt. You would not believe the stolen stuff that comes through scrap yards every day,” Withy said.
Withy said the city is serious about cracking down on folks who steal the. He said anything sold goes through a police database to make sure it’s not stolen property.
“Best bet, don’t do it. Because the city is getting tired of it. That’s city property. They’re going to nail you to the fullest,” Withy said.
The I-TEAM has reached out to the city to find out when the fourth drain will be covered, and if there were issues in covering it, but had not yet heard back as of Thursday night.