Is it true?

Have no clue is this is correct or not: heard today that shoes are hung over wires to indicate areas where -- come close so I can whisper -- drugs can be bought.
Yes? No? Should I know this...?

These shoes are located over the alley behind the hostel at 1018 Granville St. at Nelson Street in downtown Vancouver.

(P.S. The last of my Vancouver pics can now be found on Flickr - click on downtown Vancouver skyline below if ya wanna check em out. I'm done uploading now, honest.)