Light Lids Lifted on Lydell - Taxpayers out $37,500?

From the 8-24-17 Whitefish Bay Police Dept. blotter:

"About 25 brass street lamp tops were reported taken from behind the DPW salt building, 5111 N. Lydell Ave., on Aug. 15. The lamp tops, purchased for $1,500 each, have a scrap value of $200 each."

Why were street lamp tops with a total cost of approximately $38,000 just lying out back of the salt building where, apparently, anyone could get at them? Surely there was some spare space inside the expansive, expensive new DPW building (pictured above) where they could have been placed instead - correct? Some other secure location? Weekly we have numerous reports of residents having things they left outside, unprotected, stolen and then reminders from the police to lock stuff up.

Property theft is a well-advertised problem in our community. As a homeowner, I don't even leave my good grill outside anymore. Metal items with recyclable value are always an attractive commodity for thieves - that's no secret. If there is any entity that should be aware of these things and taking the necessary precautions, it's the Village itself.

What was the person charged with securing these items thinking - or not thinking? Are there going to be any repercussions, aside from taxpayers footing the bill for another 25?