Light pole thefts as an indicator of bad times

A metal stump bears witness to the theft of a light pole on Kelly Avenue in Mount Washington. The city has lost about 130 poles to theft.(Sun photo by Jed Kirschbaum) Nov 8, 2005. From "String of light-pole thefts around the city leaves officials in the dark."

Just like Alan Greenspan has lots of indicators, such as the number of Class 8 (semi-truck cabs) trucks being produced, to provide a more nuanced view of the economy, I think cities can develop similar indicators for public safety. Just like the stolen parking meters from a few years ago in DC, which I thought of as an indicator of the desperation of poorer people disconnected from the local economy, stolen light poles in Baltimore--each one is worth about $75, and it takes an electrician's skill to successfully disconnect it, not to mention other heavy duty equipment and a truck--says something about the state of desperation in Baltimore.