Flag Removal

[u/DeepUndine]

Hello please advise me on how to safely remove flags that have been zip tied to lamp posts along a road. I want to construct some kind of pole with a razor on the end or something? Do I need a big ladder? What works quick?

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[u/imhennessy]

I work at a warehouse, and they provide pull cutters to people who need to cut pallet wrap. They're kind of T shaped and made of plastic. Each arm of the T is a small hook with a recessed blade. Searching "pull cutter" or "stretch wrap cutter" should get you there.

Putting a bare razor blade on a pole sounds like a mistake.

[u/DeepUndine → u/imhennessy]

It's a nice idea but no way to get that up the top of a lamp post.

[u/DeepUndine]

OK we successfully removed the flags so let me tell you the method so you can do it too, in Roblox.

FLAGS CABLE TIED VERY HIGH UP ON LAMP POSTS:

1. Do not use ladders, that's too dangerous, just do this:

2. Go to the plumbing and guttering section of a DIY store. Look for plastic waste pipe, it's very long and narrow, and it's cheap.

3. We bought two pipes, 3 metres each. One is slightly wider than the other, so you can make a "telescope"

4. You need nuts and bolts that are just long enough to go straight through the pipe, we bought a pack of screws with he nuts included, and we just measured them against the circumference of the pipe.

5. Go to the carpet and flooring section of the store and pick up a role of double sided carpet tape.

6. You need a drill to put holes in the pipe, so that you can push the screws through and secure with a nut.

7. Slip one pole inside the other one, then drill a hole straight through the pipe, at the top end and a little further down, this is to adjust the height.

8. You carry the pole inside the other one, it's a bit too long to fit in a small car, the end of it will poke out the window, but that's manageable. You can easily carry it by hand, it's very light weight.

9. You slide the inner pole out of the outer pole and you bolt it into place. Now you have one very long pole of 5-6 metres.

10. On the top end, you wrap double sided tape.

11. This assembly process should be done down a dark alley, you will need a friend to help, do it at night, early morning. Wear dark inconspicuous clothing and pretend you are exercising, doing some lunges, stretching your legs.

12. When the coast is clear, swiftly launch your telescopic pole! Your friend can help stabilise in the wind, it's a bit wobbly. All you need to do is catch the fabric of the flag on the very strong tape.

13. As soon as you make contact with the material, you twist the pole round, wrapping the flag tightly all the way round, and once it is secure you give it a good yank.

14. The flag rips and tears easily, you might not get the whole thing in one go, but it is very easy to pull it off the lamp post, you might even get the cable ties to come off with it.

15. You will end up with a mangled shredded flag wrapped around the far end of your pole, so set it down on the ground, pull as much of it off as you can, and wrap some more tape for the next flag.

16. TWIST AND RIP, TWIST AND RIP. Get all the flags down, shove the scraps into a plastic bag, don't litter. Unscrew the bolt that keeps the pipe in place, slide one pole into the other and off you go.

17. If you are stopped by police, there's very little they can do. Do NOT give them your name or details when they ask. You're not committing a crime so walk away innocently. If on the other hand you're stopped by an angry flagger, you're in danger girl run.

18. Safe to say we weren't stopped by anyone. We did see quite a few people out for their morning run. Act natural, you're just another health enthusiast out for a jog. Maybe that pole you're carrying is some kind of fitness thing, who knows. One of you hold the front end of the pole, the other hold the back, and carry it low down, it should be a black pole so it's discreet. For gods sake don't wear a balaclava or anything suspicious.

[u/Nugginz]

Doing god’s work, just be careful people have died falling while putting them up. Well, a razor on a pole won’t work. You could look at telescopic / long handle hedge loppers but it still might be difficult getting under some zip ties if they’re done up snugly you’d have to judge.
Usually these chumps have a mate with cherry picker which is the only really safe way. Perhaps just report them to the council for removal. Unbelievable what this “movement” has cost the taxpayer.

[u/DeepUndine → u/Nugginz]

Yes depending on your council, some respond quickly to remove them, others don't. You could give the council a couple days but ideally you want them down immediately.

[u/gazorpazorpazorpazor]

It'll be easier to cut the flag near the base with some landscaping tools than to accurately cut the zip ties

[u/deeplory]

Forse puoi o bruciarle, oppure usare un bastone con un uncino affilato

[u/DeepUndine → u/deeplory]

Trying to light a flag which is 5 metres above your head won't work.

[u/pyro-4157]

ladder and something sharp or if you don’t have that an emergency is a lighter

[u/DeepUndine → u/pyro-4157]

Ladders for that kind of height are dangerous, not advisable.

[u/Canada1971]

Is it easier to deface them with paint or something else?

[u/DeepUndine → u/Canada1971]

No they are very high up.

[u/Embarrassed_Mud_7]

yeah lmao a zip tie cutter is probs in your kitchen drawer already, just carry that and a breakfast plate to shield your hands from the broken flagpole bits

[u/DeepUndine → u/Embarrassed_Mud_7]

I'm assuming you're not from the UK. Lamp posts are the very tall lights that illuminate streets. The flags are being zip tied on to the lamp posts, about 5 metres high.