Jonathan Hall Uncovers: Lights out

This time of year the sun sets sooner, and darkness comes quicker.  But in some towns there are a lot less street lights to battle that darkness.
 
Kevin Goguen, Fitchburg resident
"If you walk with no flashlight, you aren't going to see what side of the road that you're going to be on."
 
To save money, the town of Fitchburg shut off 60 percent of its streetlights.
 
Mayor Lisa Wong, Fitchburg Mayor
"We're saving about $300,000 which is pretty significant. By saving $300,000, it prevents us from closing two fire stations and laying off several police officers."
 
But resident Kevin Goguen says about seven months ago when the city turned off the lights, the crime turned on.
 
Kevin Goguen, Fitchburg resident
"In this town it's starting to be unsafe."
 
Goguen says his car has been broken into three times and he blames the lack of lights.
 
Kevin Goguen, Fitchburg resident
"You know since the lights went off you know the crime has just picked up."
 
But Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong disagrees.
 
Kevin Goguen, Fitchburg resident
"Looking at the initial data, crime really hasn't been impacted, there will always been crime in urban areas."
 
Fitchburg isn't the only town flipping the switch to cut costs.  At least half a dozen Baystate towns are going dark.  This past summer, Mansfield made the move, as well.
 
Lee Azinheira, Director of Public Works, Mansfield
"We turned off approximately 1,200.  We still have approximately 1,600 street lights."
 
Town officials say they know the idea isn't popular, but they are saving $60,000, which they say saved two full time jobs.
 
In Andover, they are in the process of turning off about one third of their street lights to save up to $100,000 dollars next year.  But here too, some people question the safety side of it.
 
Andover resident
"I think it's really something that's a safety issue."
 
Officials in Milton had hoped to save $80,000 a year by turning off half of the street lights in town.  But four months after flipping the switch they are now turning all the lights back on.
 
Chief Richard Wells, Milton Police
"To be honest with you, I didn't realize the backlash that it would have."
 
Residents complained that on some streets, they were left completely in the dark and people felt it was unsafe.  Chief Wells says there was a noticable spike in crime in September. 
 
Chief Richard Wells, Milton Police
"We saw an increase in cars being entered at night. In some cases, they hit four, five, six, seven, even a dozen cars in one night."
 
Chief Wells says lighting is one of the best ways to deter criminals.
 
In Belmont, plans to turn off street lights were scrapped due to safety concerns, but the town still found a way to save.  They've cut electricity costs by 20 percent by using lower wattage bulbs and energy saving bulbs.
 
Belmont resident
"At least there's some light so when you're trying to get around town you can see what's going on."
 
Back in Fitchburg, Kevin Goguen says while the town may be saving money, he is not.  He went out and bought his own lights.
 
Kevin Goguen, Fitchburg resident
"This way if someone comes in the yard I can see what's going on."
 
Some local towns, including Fitchburg, are giving residents the chance to sponsor their own streetlight for a small cost, often around $10 a month, to turn on a light in their neighborhood.  And town officials say if a resident is concerned about the lack of light in their neighborhood, they should contact the town.
 
 
f you have a story idea, or something you think we should investigate, please email us at Jonathan Hall Uncovers. 
 
jonathanhalluncovers@whdh.com

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