Why do shoes hang from an overhead wire?

Footwear hanging from an overhead wire by the laces. The laces of the shoes are tied together, then lobbed up to the wire (s) so that the shoes hang and dangle. Supposedly signals a location where drugs can be purchased; also symbolizes pointlessness i.e. there is no good reason for the object (shoes) being there.

What does it mean when you see shoes on a wire?

shoes on a wire, urbandictionary.com, (the only entry, +111, -68) Places where you see shoes that are thrown on a telephone wire indicate drug houses or places where you can purchase drugs. Hey, look, shoes on a wire!

Why are there shoes hanging from power lines?

Dangling shoes can also be the symbol of gang members claiming territory, especially when the shoes are hanging from power lines or telephone wires in an intersection.

How often are shoes hanging from telephone wires?

We learned that in the last seven years, city workers have received at least 6,000 requests to remove shoes hanging from telephone or electrical wires. (Similar requests, by the way, have sought to remove everything from a pair of hanging cowboy boots to a stranded rubber ducky.)

Why are there shoes hanging from an electric wire?

One of the most commonly believed reasons shoes are thrown over power lines is to signal the location of a crack house or prime drug dealing spot . Dangling shoes can also be the symbol of gang members claiming territory, especially when the shoes are hanging from power lines or telephone wires in an intersection.

Why do people throw shoes over wires?

Nevertheless, the main reason for dangling shoes on high wires is for recreational or trivial purposes, usually as a prank played by bullies and drinkers. Thrown shoes may also symbolize local culture or traditions of some sort, including insults.

What do shoes hanging on power lines mean?

In some neighborhoods, shoes tied together and hanging from power lines or tree branches signify that someone has died. The shoes belong to the dead person. The reason they are hanging, legend has it, is that when the dead person’s spirit returns, it will walk that high above the ground, that much closer to heaven. Nov 23 2019

What’s the meaning of shoes thrown over telephone lines?

A pair of shoes, laces tied together and hurled over telephone lines or power lines is a common enough sight around the country. But what is the meaning of this seemingly pointless act? Possibly the most common folkloric explanation offered is that they are thrown over to indicate the territory of drug gang.