Shoes on power lines may just be "monkey see, monkey do"; Demarco's theory doesn't explain the first pair.

Throwing shoes is an old way to show how you feel, from wedding traditions to moon boots. Some people say power lines are a way to celebrate or other say crime

Why do people throw shoes on power lines?

The popular idea that gangs mark their territory by putting shoes on power lines has no proof, and the cops won't say whether or not it's true.

Gang activity

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Location for buying drugs

Police in Alabama and Mississippi say that drug dealers hang their shoes on power lines to do business, but police in New York and Toronto say that this is just a myth.

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Memorials

A gold star on a license plate and shoes hanging from a power line are both memorials to people who have died, often from gun crime.

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People often throw their shoes over power lines to enjoy the end of school, the end of their time in the military, or the end of their virginity.

Celebrating milestones

It is cruel to bet on a flip, even if you think the outcome will be bad. It could be considered tormenting depending on the age of the victim.

Losing a bet

In some areas, shoes thrown over power lines may mean that a victim of bullying has lost their shoes and bullies are looking at them like trophies.

Bullying

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Kids being kids

As a fun challenge, kids might throw their shoes on power lines, but adults do it too. It could be Demarco's idea of mimicry, or people could just be having fun.

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Street art

In Brooklyn, New York, London, and South Africa, the artist Ad Skewville throws pairs of shoes over power lines to make a crowd-sourced art piece called "shoefiti."

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Passive-aggressiveness

Because there are less people and/or less patience in wealthy neighborhoods, there are usually less shoes hanging from power lines.

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