F. sent this photographic evidence and the question: “I’ve noticed two street lamps have been cut down: the first pic is from one on Reade Street between Hudson and Greenwich. The second is on Duane between Church and West Broadway. Our block has become so dark in its absence. A few drop lights from a construction shad add some light, but nowhere near enough.”

And…A DOT spokesman confirmed that the problem is not permanent: “These poles were removed for maintenance and will be replaced shortly,” he said.

Hopefully the bizarre three-foot-high concrete base on the streetlamp on Warren and West Broadway is not permanent either…