St. Paul Warns Of 'Extremely Dangerous' Storm Drain Vandalism Across City

ST. PAUL, MN — The St. Paul Public Works Department is warning residents about an "unusual" and repeated wave of storm drain vandalism that has left dangerous open holes in city streets and sidewalks.

Since early June, more than 150 storm sewer grates have been removed and tossed into the drains across multiple neighborhoods, including Frogtown, Downtown, Summit Hill, the East Side, and the West Side, officials said.

"This malicious behavior is unacceptable and extremely dangerous to everyone, including drivers, walkers, and bikers," Public Works Director Sean Kershaw said in a statement.

Removing storm sewer grates or utility (manhole) covers is illegal and poses an immediate safety risk to the public.

The grates weigh more than 150 pounds, and improper handling can result in serious injuries. Open drains also create hidden hazards that could injure pedestrians, damage vehicles, or cause crashes.

Public Works is urgently replacing missing grates and asking residents to be on alert and report any open drains, suspicious activity, or security footage to the police or city staff.

What To Do If You See Vandalism

• If you witness someone removing a storm drain grate: Call 911 and provide a location and description of the person involved.
• To report a missing or damaged grate:
  • Weekdays: Call 651-266-9850
  • Nights/weekends: Call 651-266-9700 and leave a detailed message.

"Storm drains are part of our critical infrastructure," Kershaw said. "We need the public’s help to stop this dangerous activity."