If you see a basketball hanging from a wire on the street, here's what it really symbolizes.

Control of an area by a gang.
The presence of illegal activities such as drug trafficking.
A warning to other rival groups.
This type of visual reference is particularly present in neighbourhoods where conflicts between bands are frequent. If you notice sneakers hanging in a high-risk area, this can be a signal to take seriously.

A tribute to a missing person

In other contexts, suspended sneakers serve as a tribute to a deceased person. This tradition is often observed in neighbourhoods with high crime, but it can also be practiced in more peaceful places.

Shoes represent the life of the disappeared person.
They symbolize that she lies in peace or that she walks to heaven.
The purpose of this act is to leave a mark visible in memory of the deceased.
It is a gesture of respect, sometimes organized by relatives or friends of the disappeared person.

A farce or a rite of passage
Not all hanging shoes are synonymous with danger. In many cases, it is just a game between friends or a rite of initiation.