INDIANAPOLIS – Thousands of Indianapolis streetlights will soon be equipped with new LED technology to help brighten neighborhoods.
Neighbors in some areas of Indy hope the contract between IPL and the city will help make their streets safer.
Though streetlights are on the way, many people living in the Forest Manor neighborhood have taken action to brighten their own area as several motion lights can be found on houses and garages.
"We would like to know who's walking down our streets at night,” said Rahman Abdullah. "If they're not on, or if a light bulb blew, they would be totally dark."
In September, the City-County Council approved Proposal 244, which allowed funding for the first phase of replacing and installing streetlights around the city. The proposal also approved a $14 million appropriation to the Department of Public Works, which in part allowed the city to put up new street lights in some areas.
Mark Evans said his car and neighbor’s homes have been broken into.
"If you want to keep some of the people from the next street coming over, going into your backyard, taking what you've worked for, you've got to install your own lighting,” said Evans.
Streetlights in the Forest Manor community can be found on nearly every corner, but more than half of them have 100-watt bulbs – the lowest wattage.
Evans said he hopes his street will be one of the first to see the new LED technology.
“I'm a taxpayer,” he said. “I feel that for me to be a taxpayer, I feel there should be more lighting on the street.”
The city expects to develop an initial plan for the installation of 4,000 streetlights, including locations by early 2018.
To request a new light in your neighborhood, call the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4622.
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