Bernal Heights residents alarmed as sewer vent covers keep disappearing

Bernal Heights sidewalks have developed a peculiar patchwork of square holes as sewer vent covers keep disappearing block by block, turning ordinary walks into a tripping hazard for pedestrians and pets. The thefts began in early April and have continued for months, with one man in security-camera footage wearing a beanie, sometimes carrying grocery bags and using a headlamp, repeatedly prying up the metal covers and moving on to the next target.

The missing grates have baffled residents because they are not obviously valuable, yet the consequences are immediate. A vent cover left behind creates a clean square opening in the pavement and can collect garbage, adding a maintenance problem to the safety risk. People in the neighborhood have called police and tried to secure the sidewalks themselves, but the same pattern has kept showing up on more than one block.

In February 2025, the San Francisco Police Department said the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission had reported over 400 sidewalk covers stolen over the previous two years. Police are investigating the thefts and urged residents to call 911 if they see anyone removing or carrying a cover, then use 311 to report missing or recovered utility covers.

Missing sewer vent covers can create tripping hazards and collect garbage, and property owners should replace covers in front of their property as soon as possible. Under Section 706 of the Public Works Code, property owners are responsible for sidewalk maintenance and repair. Street defects, including missing manhole covers, should be reported through 311, with responses typically varying but often coming within three calendar days for street defects.

Replacement covers are sold in both round and square shapes by some plumbing and hardware vendors, and purchasers should trace the opening to match the right fit.