Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Many residents in north Makkah's Al-Umrah District have expressed concern over the constant thefts of heavy metal covers that protect underground sanitation tanks. Uncovered tanks pose a great danger, especially to children, they said. There were many accidents reported in the past where children fell into underground sanitation tanks and died as a result. Most of these cases happened when thieves stole the covers because they are valuable. Keeping underground sanitation tanks open poses a danger to public health because it helps spread diseases, insects and rats. Many people called on local authorities to crack down on the thieves stealing covers. Okaz/Saudi Gazette met with Hameed Al-Namri, an angry Saudi resident in the neighborhood, who blamed overstayers for stealing the covers to underground sanitation tanks. He said: “We were shocked when we found one morning that the covers were stolen from the apartment building. “I suspect an overstaying African who was roaming the neighborhood at night collecting junk from the street. They often steal the covers when no one is watching. “We put a temporary cover but it cannot hold the weight of a child. I am afraid of letting my children go out on the street because they might fall in.” Saad Al-Muntasheri, another resident, said the police and municipality should add more patrol units at night, because he believed that is when all the thefts happen. Bandar Filmban, resident of the neighborhood, said his house is located in front of a park recently built by the municipality. He said: "Soon after the opening of this garden, thieves stole at least three of the underground sanitation tank covers and left them open. “These thieves were monitoring the place and were waiting for the perfect time to make their move and steal them. The head of the branch municipality at Al-Umrah District, Hasan Khankar, said his department is open and listens to the complaints and suggestions of people. He said the municipality is currently working on finding a permanent solution to this problem.
