California Elementary School’s Metal Spike Trap on Pedestrian Walkway Sparks Alarm: ‘Imagine if a Child Tripped and Fell on That’

That doesn’t look safe at all

In a questionable attempt to add another layer of security to a California elementary school’s grounds, a head custodian allegedly installed metal spikes on a pedestrian walkway. However, besides being long, sharp, and dangerously exposed, local resident and Reddit user OnlyGammasWillBanMe has pointed out that these spikes have no warning signage. Posting photos of the subtle trap on r/mildlyinfuriating, tens of thousands of Redditors were strongly concerned.

“Am I crazy and just never saw this before or is this a major safety hazard?” OnlyGammasWillBanMe wrote, adding why the school didn’t just set up a “no trespassing” sign or chain instead. He continued, “There are ways to deter that won’t cause damage, and when you do choose the damage options, signage should be required, right?” Signage aside, he also pointed out how such spikes could seriously injure someone unaware of the trap’s presence.

Redditors Agree That the Spike Trap Is a Major Safety Hazard

“Looks like a lawsuit waiting to happen,” remarked a commenter. “It’s probably criminal. It’s like boobytrapping a bike to injure the person trying to steal it,“ chimed in a second user. “Imagine if a child tripped and fell on that,” wrote a third.

Several people guessed that the point of the spike trap was to deter children from riding their bikes on the walkway instead of the road. “However, it prevents wheelchairs and also mothers with prams as well,” one person points out. “That looks like a strip of nails that will impale any foot that steps on it, and people are talking about bikes??” exclaimed another.

Fortunately, OnlyGammasWillBanMe claims he’s been diligently doing his best to get the California school’s dangerous spike trap publicly seen and reviewed. He’s allegedly reached out to ABC News, though a representative has yet to respond. He’s also taken matters into his own hands and placed traffic cones in front of the spikes to warn pedestrians.

As to why he accuses the head custodian of installing the spikes, OnlyGammasWillBanMe says he saw the employee laying down the glue for the trap with his own eyes. While OP can’t verify that the school’s board is at fault here, he argues that “Technically, the school did it because the head custodian is part of the school.” However, he doubts this worker went through the proper channels to get the spikes approved.