As crime and homelessness worsen in the city of Oakland in California, its authorities have resorted to removing traffic lights from a four-way intersection as thieves keep on stealing the traffic signals' copper wires.
According to CBS News, Oakland officials took out the traffic signal lights at the intersection of East 12th Street and 16th Avenue and replaced them with four-way stop signs, perplexing drivers. This move stemmed from people stealing copper wires and tampering with the traffic signals' electric box, causing the lights to malfunction for months on end. Some residents said the lights were either blinking red or were often totally out.
The report also mentioned that the traffic signals were close to a large homeless encampment that spans about three blocks on East 12th Street, between 17th and 14th Avenues. While the city has made efforts to clear it, the encampment is continuing to grow bigger. Residents have started to leave the area because of these homeless camps and their interruptions to civic life.
According to a city spokesman, heavy cement blocks were placed on top of the electric boxes to deter thieves. However, this deterrent failed to work as people just dragged the blocks out of the way.
Oakland authorities claim overhead stop signs are merely temporary
According to the city authorities, the overhead stop signs that replaced the non-functioning traffic lights are only temporary. But at present, they have no timeline on when the traffic signals will be returned. Residents have attributed at least one accident at the busy intersection to the lack of traffic signals.
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"This is a brand-new solution to a problem that's taken many forms here," said resident Mason Young. According to him, the stop signs are better than non-working traffic lights. Young recounted that the non-functioning traffic signals were to blame for a crash that sent a truck into the fence of Le's Auto Body & Engine Repair at the corner of the intersection last year.
Tam Le, the owner of the auto repair shop, lamented the removal of the traffic lights as a sign that "the city is giving up" on its people. "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," added Le, who has been running his shop for more than 25 years.
"If you really want to fix the stop sign, I think you really have to clean up this homeless encampment. Many businesses already closed down on East 12th Street, and I don't know how long we're going to be here. Because once they move to our side of the sidewalk, we will be gone." (Related: In-N-Out Burger announces CLOSURE of its Oakland, California location due to wave of car break-ins and robberies.)
According to the West Observer, more than 200 business owners in Oakland staged a protest to express their dissatisfaction with the local government's handling of public safety. The outlet added: "Concerns about safety and public order in Oakland have been on the rise, prompting both residents and business owners to speak out against the increasing crime rates."
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Watch this video about the city of Oakland in California having a homeless problem, which shows that America is no longer a First World country.
This video is from the Dissident7 channel on Brighteon.com.
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