Oakland Replaces Traffic Lights with Stop Signs Amid Copper Theft Crisis

City struggles with rising crime and theft near homeless encampments, leading to infrastructure changes

Traffic lights at a busy Oakland intersection were removed due to repeated copper wire thefts.
The city attempted to secure electrical boxes with concrete, but thieves circumvented these measures.
Temporary stop signs have been installed, but no timeline exists for restoring traffic signals.
Residents report increased danger and accidents at the intersection since the lights were removed.
Violent crime in Oakland has surged by 22%, with commercial burglary up nearly 10% in the past year.