City preparing to light up high-crime neighborhoods
By R.A. WALKER rwalker@sungazette.comArticle Photos
According to the mayor, higher wattage bulbs and — if necessary — extra light fixtures and poles will be phased in throughout the city to help make city streets less desirable to criminals.
“The criminals do not like lighted areas,” he said before a group of citizens and reporters in front of 847 Second St. “For the criminals,” he added, “we’re going to make them work a little harder.”
Campana said the new program responds to a concern raised by neighborhood watch groups and promised that more street lighting is coming.
He said an inventory of requests for lighting is being complied and his staff is evaluating the city neighborhood by neighborhood to determine which are in most need of street lighting upgrades.
Second Street, he made clear, will be among those getting attention in the near future.
“We’re going to make this street brighter,” he promised. “We’re going to make it safer.”
Campana said the city would find about $25,000 to pay for the upgrades over the next six years.
“When you have a budget you can find monies if there is a will,” he said.
Councilman Clifford Smith was present for the announcement and said brighter streets are another crime-fighting tool in conjunction with the administration’s plans for placing surveillance cameras at locations throughout the city, especially high-crime areas.
According to Smith, Second Street is among those being given serious consideration for the cameras, and if funding is secured, it should be among the first to gain the video protection.
Like Campana, he said the lighting and the surveillance camera projects need public input.
“We need your help,” he told those present.
Crime and neighborhood watch volunteers present included Janice Hamilton, in front of whose home the announcement was made.
She said the mayor moved quickly when neighborhood residents asked for his help.
For example, she said signs announcing the street as a “crime watch area” and warning motorists to slow down for “children at play” were requested in late April and in place within a week.
Another volunteer was Ruth Keller, a member of the “Community Awareness Program” begun by members of New Covenant United Church of Christ, who said the group is asking that a light be placed on Academy Street in an area currently illuminated only by a church light fixture.
