The other day I looked out my radio studio window to discover a strange sight: a pair of white sneakers hanging from a street power line.  What I learned next was shocking.  I thought it was just a goofy prank that someone thought would be funny but rumor has it that it signifies that drugs are sold nearby.  Of course I had to look into this urban legend to find out if there was any truth in it.  I headed to Snopes.com which is all about debunking or verifying urban legends.  This is what they had to say about the possible reasons of shoes on a wire:

  • It's the work of gangs marking the boundaries of their territory.
  • Bullies take them off defenseless kids, then sling them up out of reach as the ultimate taunt.
  • Gang members create an informal memorial at the spot where a friend lost his life.
  • Crack dealers festoon wires to advertise their presence in the neighborhood.
  • The shoes increase wire visibility for low-flying aircraft.
  • Overly puffed-up boys who have just lost their virginity or otherwise passed a sexual milestone look to signal the event to others.
  • Graduating seniors mark this transition in their lives by leaving something of themselves behind; namely, their shoes.
  • Kids do it just because it's fun. And besides, what else are you going to do with a worn-out pair of sneakers other than tie the laces together and toss them high?

So the question is, which reason do you think is the most likely one for the pair of sneakers slung over the power line on Chestnut outside my studio window?  Feel free to list your best guess in the comment section below.

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