This is called an accessible pedestrian signal. 

Description: Planner Eli Glazier standing on a corner, next to an accessible pedestrian signal. 

The purpose of this device is to allow people who are blind or have other mobility challenges to successfully know where the intersection is and how to navigate it. 

The problem with where this one is installed is that there's a barrier between the sidewalk and the button, so people may not be able to access it.

Description: Close up shot of pedestrian signal and the curb between the signal and the sidewalk.

There's a recommendation in the pedestrian plan to do a study of all of the locations of these accessible pedestrian signals across the county and prioritize immediate improvement 

Description: Return to the shot of Eli at the corner.

and replacement of the ones that are in accessible locations because they cannot serve their primary function if the people that need to access them, can't access them.