January 1, Oakland’s Homeless Crisis: City Removes Traffic Lights Amid Copper Heists

Oakland, California faces thefts connected to a large homeless encampment, prompting the city to remove traffic lights from a four-way intersection. Locals report that city infrastructure, like copper wires, is being stolen. Despite securing electrical boxes with cement barriers, the issue continues.

As a result, traffic lights at a busy intersection were replaced with stop signs. Tam Le, owner of a nearby auto repair shop, said, “It’s just telling us that the city is giving up on us. If you really want to fix the stop sign, I think you really have to clean up this homeless encampment.”

For months, criminals have tampered with electricity and stolen wires, causing lights to work intermittently. Local resident Mason Young believes the situation is becoming dangerous, citing a recent accident. “We gotta stop just putting band-aids on things. Although, a band-aid is better than bleeding out,” he said.

Violent crime in Oakland has spiked by 22% this year, and commercial burglary has risen by nearly 10%. In September, over 200 business owners closed their stores in protest of the government’s handling of public safety. City officials have missed a deadline to apply for state funding to fight retail theft.

City leaders launched a grant program to help small business owners hold events to attract customers, as local shops see a decline in patrons due to crime. While the stop signs are temporary, there is no timeline for reinstalling traffic lights. Oakland officials have not commented on the issue.

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