UTICA, N.Y. -- The City of Utica is collecting sneakers and other footwear from an unusual place. They're taking them off of telephone and cable wires.

Last year, the city removed more than 50 pairs of shoes and will be doing the same this time around. In some places, shoes hanging from telephone or cable wires signifies gang or drug activity in the area. Utica's Public Safety Commissioner says that's not the case here.

"Here in the city, it's just a copycat type of act where children just throw them up there for whatever reason. That's no indication that there's any drug activity or gang activity in that area," said Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella.

Anyone caught hanging shoes from telephone wires can be charged with criminal mischief and fined up to $300. To report footwear hanging from wires in the city, you can call the public safety office at (315) 792-0176.