Manhole cover thefts in Peabody, Beverly and Salem have been reported recently and area law enforcement have not only the thefts to worry about but the very real danger of open manholes, according to an article in the Salem News.
However, it's also prompted Salem lawyer Neil Chayet to try once more to pass legislation requiring metal scrap shops to take down more records.
Police say that three manhole cover have been stolen in recent days, one from each town, Beverly, Salem and Peabody. Police believe the manholes covers are taken to small metal scrap yards in Chelsea and Everett that will accept manhole covers for about a tenth of their value.
“We would hope that the scrap yards would show more diligence,”Peabody police Captain Dennis Bonaiuto said. “It seems to me if you see a manhole cover that says City of Peabody, that would give you pause. We would hope you would return it immediately.”
Chayet attempted to pass the legislation last year but it failed at the end of the last session. If passed, his legislation would require the small scrap yards to make customers provide their names, among other requirements.
Manhole covers were stolen in Peabody shortly before Hurricane Irene and early this year in January.
Over 30 manhole covers were stolen from various areas in Wilimington and Andover in May of 2012.
Read the full article on the Salem News Website.
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