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California town outraged as traffic lights are replaced with stop signs to deter homeless people from stealing copper
Daily Mail UK ^ | May 20, 2024 | Sophie Mann

Posted on 05/20/2024 9:05:25 AM PDT by Morgana

The city of Oakland recently removed traffic lights from one busy intersection and replaced them with stop signs after the electrical boxes that controlled the traffic lights were repeatedly tampered with and copper from them was stolen.

Local residents and those who own businesses in the area say the issue with the traffic lights stems from the nearby homeless encampment, which has grown over the years.

The owner of a vehicle repair shop on the corner of the intersection, Tam Le, said the city is signaling that it is 'giving up on us,' by installing the stop signs.

It is the latest in a string of copper thefts in California. Earlier this month, videos emerged of thieves ransacking Tesla charging stations for the metal.

For months, the traffic lights malfunctioned. They either blinked red or went out completely, causing confusing and hazardous driving conditions in the area.

'The city did try to fix the traffic light at least a few times. But once they fixed it, normally within a week or so, it will go out again,' said Le, according to CBS News.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: california; copper; metalthieves; oakland; theft
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To: 4yearlurker

What makes even more sense on busy intersections is a rotary. It actually speeds up traffic. No lights to maintain. You do not even have to stop, just slow up and merge. Just keep in mind the car in the rotary has the right of way.

Also, in Bermuda and BVIs make sure you turn LEFT into the rotary. They go around CLOCKWISE(and drive on the left side of the road). Not Anti-Clockwise like here in the USA.


21 posted on 05/20/2024 10:16:25 AM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: Morgana
Sure, blame the towns for doing something about the thefts, when they should be removing the thieves.
For every traffic light destroyed, it costs many times the value of the copper to get them replaced.
Taxpayer money.
The townspeople should be outraged, but as usual the libs and media feign outrage over the wrong things.

22 posted on 05/20/2024 10:19:43 AM PDT by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
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To: Morgana

It’s only 8 lanes people! Look far to the right!


23 posted on 05/20/2024 6:35:19 PM PDT by If You Want It Fixed - Fix It
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To: Morgana

the prices are high enough that they will steal any copper for anything..


24 posted on 05/21/2024 11:03:02 AM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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