A California city has removed a traffic light from a four-way intersection as the city deals with theft stemming from a large homeless camp nearby.
According to local residents who spoke to CBS News, Oakland is experiencing a high rate of crime and theft, including theft of copper wire and city infrastructure. The city tried to prevent criminals from tampering with the distribution boxes by surrounding them with cement, but to no avail. Now, the city has begun removing traffic lights at busy intersections and replacing them with stop signs.
“This just shows that the city has given up on us,” Tam Le, owner of Le's Auto Body & Engine Repair near the intersection, told CBS News. “If we really want to fix the stop signs, I think we need to deep clean this homeless encampment.”
The lights had been on and off for months as criminals tampered with the electricity and stole the wiring, the report said. Local resident Mason Young said it had become extremely dangerous to drive through the intersection and there had been an accident there recently.
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The city tried to install cement barriers to prevent criminals from gaining unauthorized access to electrical boxes, but to no avail. (Getty)
“We have to stop just putting a Band-Aid on it, but it's better than bleeding,” Young said.
The most recently available police data shows violent crime in Oakland is up 22% this year, with commercial robberies up nearly 10%.
In September, more than 200 business owners closed their stores in protest against government security measures amid rising crime. The protests came days after city officials admitted they had missed a deadline to apply for state funding to combat retail theft.
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That same month, Oakland city leaders encouraged small business owners to hold events such as workout classes, music performances and movie nights to draw customers to local stores where crime has decimated patronage. A grant program has been launched to provide funding.
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Oakland officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CBS News reported that the stop sign is temporary, but it is currently unclear when the traffic light will be restored.
Hannah Grossman is a reporter for Fox News Digital.