This is a video of a good Samaritan attempting to fix a malfunctioning traffic/crosswalk light and bringing the whole pole down in the process. From what I could gather, the pole was being supported entirely by that tiny stick at its base, the same way you’d prop up a box with a carrot underneath to catch a rabbit. Not the best engineering solution if you ask me. Now duct tape — I’m pretty sure that’s the answer they were looking for.
Thanks again to my dad, who agrees traffic lights probably aren’t the best place to half-ass a job.