Storm Grates Go Missing Off Leavitt Street, Cost Town $1400 to Replace

On May 13, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Officer Gregory Casper was traveling on Leavitt Street when he noticed two catch basin grates missing from both sides of the road. 

He continued on to find a total of eight catch basin grates missing, then notified dispatch, who then notified the Department of Public Works staff. Workers covered the open two-feet holes with cones and barrels to provide warning to drivers traveling on the street.

According to Bob Lamoureaux, the superintendent of Seekonk Public Works, the grates were replaced about 45 minutes after workers responded to the site.

"If a tire would have gone in there, it would have caused serious damage," he said.

Each steel grate cost about $177 to replace; the replacements cost a total of $1,416 after they were bought from Seekonk Supply. Lamoureaux request the town's insurance company to reimburse the cost. 

According to Lamoureax, the grates are each about 100 pounds. It would take two people to remove them from the secluded road. 

"We can't say for certain someone stole them, but they didn't just jump out of there — someone had to have taken them," he said.

According to Lamoureaux, there is a small profit to be made by selling steel. But according to the going rate, someone could  have gotten about $80 for the eight storm drains.

"Someone could have cashed them in, there's a possibility," he said. " I don't know what else someone would do with them."