A person was caught on camera lifting small sewer grates in San Francisco’s Bernal Height neighborhood and calmly walking away. Neighbors have been calling the city hoping to have authorities track down the culprit, but instead they’re getting cited with orders to replace the grates as soon as possible.

The video that neighbors are circulating was shot on a door cam at about 3 a.m. on June 6.

The suspect was caught on camera with a head worn lamp and a couple bags, as he goes behind a porta potty where the sewer vent in the sidewalk is.

Neighbors say it only took him about 20 seconds to remove the sewer grate and walk off.

“We can’t figure out whether it’s for profit, whether it’s for art,” San Francisco resident Jim Smith said.

For most residents it’s become annoying, and a little dangerous.

“My little dog could step in it. I could fall, trip and fall, any of us could do that,” San Francisco resident Sheila said.

Along with sharing video of the man who they believe is doing this, residents have also been calling the city to report what happened.

But the city is reportedly putting the blame on neighbors.

One woman, who did not want to be identified, said city workers showed up, marked the missing grate area with white paint and then gave her a notice, ordering her to replace the grate.

She described how she handled it.

“At first, I put in a plastic one in. But I couldn’t get it in. And I didn’t think it would pass inspection,” she said.

According to the city Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Public Works, the sidewalk in front of a house, including its grates, is the responsibility of the homeowner.

A plumber said that these holes are intended to vent sewer gas, and the problem is when grate is gone, stuff starts collecting around here and can fall in, and cause problems for the system.

Matt, with Real Plumbing and Heating, says he has a customer in the South of Market

“She’s replaced it, and since then epoxied it down. And when currently servicing it, I had to screw it back down really tight. Because she was concerned it was going to disappear again,” Matt said.

So far, none of the neighbors NBC Bay Area talked with have mentioned anything about the city making any effort to track down whoever is stealing the grates, but the Department of Public Works does have a list of hardware stores where residents can simply buy replacements.

They run for about $10 to $20 each.