WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?
You nailed it with those points. I’ve seen folks think more lights mean better security, but honestly, it just leads to complaints—especially when those floods shine right into bedrooms. One thing I’d add: spacing matters too. People cram too many fixtures close together and end up with hot spots and shadows, which defeats the purpose. Sometimes less is more... or at least better placed.
WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced that less lighting always works out better. We had a stretch of our street that was pretty dim, and honestly, it felt sketchy walking the dog at night. Once they put in more lights—yeah, maybe a couple too many—it actually felt safer. I do agree about the placement though. Nothing worse than a floodlight blasting through your window at 2am... but total darkness isn’t great either. There’s gotta be a middle ground.
WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?
I get the safety thing—nobody wants to trip over a cracked sidewalk or feel like they’re walking through a horror movie set. But I keep wondering, is flooding the whole street with light really the best use of money? Those new LED fixtures aren’t cheap, and then there’s the higher electricity bill every month. Not to mention, if you’ve got a light shining in your bedroom all night, blackout curtains aren’t free either.
Has anyone actually seen crime rates go down after these upgrades? Or is it just that people *feel* safer? I’m not saying we should go back to pitch black, but sometimes I wonder if motion sensors or dimmer lights would do the trick for less cash. There’s gotta be a smarter way to balance safety and cost... and maybe even let us see a few stars at night.
WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?
You’re spot on about the cost side—those LED streetlights aren’t just a one-time expense. I’ve seen neighborhoods go all-in on lighting, and honestly, the bills add up fast. Plus, over-lighting can actually make it harder to see at night because of glare and shadows. I’m a big fan of targeted lighting—motion sensors, lower wattage, and fixtures that point down instead of blasting light everywhere. It’s not just about saving money, either. Too much light messes with sleep and you lose any chance of seeing the stars. There’s definitely a smarter way to do this than just flipping the switch to “daytime” 24/7.
WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?
Too much light messes with sleep and you lose any chance of seeing the stars.
That’s a fair point, but I wonder if there’s a balance we’re missing. I’ve seen some outdoor lighting setups that actually make spaces feel safer and more inviting, especially for folks who work late or have kids coming home after dark. Is it possible that a little more light—if it’s warm-toned and thoughtfully placed—could actually help with community vibes? I get the concern about glare, but sometimes those motion sensors can be jarring too, like suddenly being in a spotlight. Maybe it’s not just about less light, but better quality and placement?
