But rather than being graffiti, a gang message or a misspelled reference to The Ohio State University, the marks are actually part of a Penelec maintenance project.

And “OUS” is the initials for the Penelec contractor completing the work — Osmose Utility Services.

Todd Myers, senior communications representative with First Energy Corp. told the Times Observer that the painted polls “are marked for reinforcement.”

City of Warren Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz said the city has received calls asking what the paint means, with two of three of those callers specifically asking if the symbol was gang-related.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton This utility pole near McDonalds on Market St. has been reinforced.

“(There are) hundreds of thousands of utility poles throughout (the Penelec) service area,” Myers said. “We inspect the poles in Pennsylvania every 12 years.”

The poles themselves are designed to last 50 years or more and Myers described them as the “workhorses of the system.”

Mostly yellow pine, Myers explained there are “lots of things that are out there that can compromise the vitality of these poles.” Some are as obvious — weather and traffic accidents — while some are not — namely, insects.

Examining the poles will include a visual inspection, an auditory one — striking the poles with hammers to determine condition on the interior and, in some instances, test drilling.

The result of that exam will determine whether the pole is fine, in need of reinforcement or in need of replacement.

For the poles here that are set to be reinforced, a steel C-truss is driven into the ground adjacent to the pole, which is then strapped to the brace. The metal is often painted brown to match the pole.

If a pole needs replaced, Myers explained, an outage will be required as well as a host of other work for the other utilities that may utilize the same pole.

Information from Penelec indicates that reinforcement is the cheaper option as well.

“If you have to replace the pole, (we are) going to have to get all of these attachments moved. That can be a bit of a job.”