Fire hydrant openings raise concern for public safety

As the thermometer drops this fall, a recurring prank in Austin is quickly becoming a public safety concern.

A fire hydrant was opened Friday morning in northwest Austin, sending water spraying into the intersection on the 2100 block of 8th Avenue. It's the fourth such incident that's taken place since Oct. 19, with three having occurred in northwest Austin.

With temperatures hovering at or below freezing as winter threatens to overtake fall, it could lead to frozen patches on local roads — though no car accidents have been caused thus far.

"It can affect public safety," said Austin Police Captain David McKichan.

There are currently no suspects, but McKichan said that it's "probably" being done by juveniles who pop the hydrant open and then drive away.

If the perpetrators are caught, McKichan said that they likely would face criminal charges.