[stbob]

In our travels today me and my boy Bosco happened upon this uprooted fire hydrant. Thang would make a most excellent lawn ornament, could probaly even rig it up to be fountain and/or lawn sprinkler. Was wondering if anyone here knows if because this is hydrant is now uprooted, would it be considered garbage and free for the taking...?

 

[K9luv]

I think I'd check with the municipality to make sure.

 

[DaySleepers]

I wouldn't dare. Those things can cost upwards of $1000 new and are considered government property. Plenty of people have been arrested and charged for stealing fire hydrants in the US, too, if a quick google search is anything to go by. I'd instead just call your local fire department or public works and report that it's been dislodged and let them handle it.

You can definitely legally find vintage fire hydrants at antiques and secondhand shops though, if you like the aesthetic! It would make a cool fountain.

 

[LeoRose]

Yep, those are considered the property of the city government unless and until they are disposed of.

 

[stbob]

i concur but also feel there is got to be a reasonable statute of limitations of how long it could lay around discarded. Very reminiscent of this scene from one of my favorite movies of all time...

 

[parus]

How long can your property sit unused in your yard before it's okay for someone to take it?

 

[stbob]

How long can your property sit unused in your yard before it's okay for someone to take it?

You're comparing apples to tomatoes considering the johnny pump is laying on public property...

 

[DaySleepers]

Can't imagine a fire hydrant being worth a criminal record, personally. Let alone whatever fines and/or jail time might be part of the consequences. If you know it's been uprooted for a while, you can ask your city offices whether it's possible to buy it if it's no longer functional when you call to report it, but I have no idea if that's feasible.

 

[stbob]

Can't imagine a fire hydrant being worth a criminal record, personally. Let alone whatever fines and/or jail time might be part of the consequences. If you know it's been uprooted for a while, you can ask your city offices whether it's possible to buy it if it's no longer functional when you call to report it, but I have no idea if that's feasible.

Lots of valid reasons to leave it where it lies. My main reason i won't take it is at my age i'd be a bit embarrassed if i got caught irregardless of any criminal penalties. But the number one reason is i'd hate if there were actually a fire in my neck of the woods and my lawn ornament caused any confusion with the fire department locating a live hydrant. As far as alerting town officials, that would just add insult to injury when i'd drive past a city officals property and see the fire hydrant being used as a lawn ornament in their yard...