What do you think of street lights? (eat, suburban)

[gg]

Originally Posted by raubre

Crime doesn't happen in suburban neighborhoods?

Not enough to have stupid lights burning at all hours polluting the air with light and coal burning pollution on top of that. Glad Fox Chapel is more green in the way they think and not have those silly things.

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Just some false sense IMHO.

As human beings, we're hard-wired to feel more comfortable in the daylight. The ones that were fine with darkness got eaten by lions.

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by raubre

Crime doesn't happen in suburban neighborhoods?


Then why else would they install street lights?

Comparatively, no. Crime doesn't happen in suburban neighborhoods. And, I've been trying to figure out the answer to your second question for some time now.

[Clint.]

Some of what follows is more anecdotal than statistical, but the general conclusion is that lights have at best a negligible impact on night crime (although they make certain people feel safer), but clear disadvantages, e.g., increased energy usage, light pollution, and that they may actually aid crime.

Light Pollution Compromises Security and Safety

Cities turn off streetlights to save money - USATODAY.com

Lighting and Crime

http://www.celfosc.org/biblio/seguridad/atkins.pdf

Los Angeles Uses Light to Fight Crime - WSJ.com

[Aqua Teen Carl]

There are times on here where I can't tell if people are highly opinionated or god-tier trolls.

[Geeo]

As I get older, it's more critical than ever to have street lights while driving at night. I'm fine in the city, but if we're going to dinner or something at friends' houses in the suburbs, it's really difficult to navigate with all the winding, hilly roads in the dark. We went out to McCandless a couple weekends ago at night to a house we had never been to and it was a nightmare to find the place. Not only is it dark, but there weren't many street signs or directional signage.

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by Geeo

As I get older, it's more critical than ever to have street lights while driving at night. I'm fine in the city, but if we're going to dinner or something at friends' houses in the suburbs, it's really difficult to navigate with all the winding, hilly roads in the dark. We went out to McCandless a couple weekends ago at night to a house we had never been to and it was a nightmare to find the place. Not only is it dark, but there weren't many street signs or directional signage.

I have friends that live in a neighborhood in McCandless without street lights, so I know where you're coming from. Every time I make the turn into the neighborhood I'm surprised by how dark it is. I, in no way, am making the argument that street lights don't make it easier to see at night, it's tough to see when there are no street lights. In my opinion, though, that's just how night time should be. Dark.

I'm sorry for starting a little war, just was curious to see how other people felt about them. Looks like it's pretty sharply divided between people who hate them for how they detract from an area aesthetically, and people who feel their utility is more important. I guess we can leave it at that.

Thanks everyone for contributing!

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by gallacus

I have friends that live in a neighborhood in McCandless without street lights, so I know where you're coming from. Every time I make the turn into the neighborhood I'm surprised by how dark it is. I, in no way, am making the argument that street lights don't make it easier to see at night, it's tough to see when there are no street lights. In my opinion, though, that's just how night time should be. Dark.

I'm sorry for starting a little war, just was curious to see how other people felt about them. Looks like it's pretty sharply divided between people who hate them for how they detract from an area aesthetically, and people who feel their utility is more important. I guess we can leave it at that.

Thanks everyone for contributing!

See, I don't think it needs to be that night and day (haha, pun half-intended). Smarter lighting should be able to allow better visibility without the bad side-effects. I'm not sure why it needs to be either/or.

[BrianTH]

Obviously there is not one correct lighting policy for every conceivable neighborhood. Sidewalk lamps make sense when there are sidewalks (obviously) and a decent amount of foot traffic using them.

[Tinare]

I like to be able to see. I find it necessary in life. I'm also in the camp of, "over a certain age it gets harder to see in the dark." Ya'll don't want us night vision-challenged folks driving around you if there are no street lights.