Missing Electric Vault Covers Raise Concerns Along Kedzie Boulevard
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Missing electric vault covers, likely stolen by scrappers, have a Northwest Side man concerned that someone is going to get hurt.
Steve Hier said he's been calling the city since last summer about a few missing metal electric vault covers that leave about four-by-three foot holes along a half-mile stretch of Kedzie Boulevard, in grassy areas between Palmer Square and the Illinois Centennial Monument in Logan Square.
The rectangular metal covers are supposed to sit on top of underground city electrical vaults. Hier said he's concerned about the safety of children or pets who might fall into vaults that are not properly covered.
"These things are covered over with pieces of wood, old doors, piles of scrap with a coat on top of them; and if these are live wires, and a lot of them have water in them, and a kid falls in one of these things, they will be fried," he said.
Hier said he's called the city many times since last year, but nothing has been done.
"When you call 311, they just take it, and where it goes from there, who knows? He said.
Hier wondered what has been taking so long. He said the last time he called was May 23.
"My concern is, if there is something that is definitely a safety hazard, does that get priority over other … a street light is out, or something like that?" Hier said.
Chicago Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Claffey said he's looking into the complaint.
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