ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Transportation has spent $500,000 replacing metal drain grates that people have stolen from interstate highways in the Atlanta area to sell for scrap metal.
Department spokesman Mark McKinnon said people are stealing taxpayers' money when they take the grates. Each one of the 200-pound grates costs $300 to replace.
He told WXIA-TV that the department used to keep extra grates in stock to replace stolen ones, but that's no longer possible with budget restrictions.
The department has tried welding the grates into place, but people continue stealing them.
When grates are stolen, the department tries to cover the drains and puts up pylons.
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How about a little prevention via tack welding?
Department spokesman Mark McKinnon had better convince the legislators that replacing the drain covers is “for the chi - i - ildren” if he hopes to get any tax money.
They need to crack down on the recyclers that accept government property without proper authorization. These criminals continue this activity only because "legitimate" businesses encourage the behavior.
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