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BRIGHTER DOES NOT MEAN SAFER <br /> �ighting up the nighttime environment does not necessarily improve safety or security. Thfs may seem <br /> contradictory, but there is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crime and <br /> increases safety. <br /> AT HOME: POOR LIGHTING CREATES A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY <br /> Keeping yourself and your property safe from theft and vandalism is a major priority. <br /> However, badly designed outdoor lighting can actually make you less safe because bright <br /> and poorly aimed lights can hide danger. Bad lighting creates deep shadows where <br /> t <br /> � criminals can hide. � ' � <br /> ' � Some crimes like vandalism and graffiti actually thrive on night lighting. For example, � <br /> � � bright dusk-to-dawn lights allow criminals to see the contents of parked cars. <br /> ��� y,�. <br /> � • � <br /> AROUND TOWN: LIGHT FOR LIGHT'S SAKE ON THE ROAD: BAD LIGHTING CREATES Effective lighting that helps people be safe— <br /> DOES NOT EQUAL SAFETY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS not just feel safe— is a win-win situation for <br /> Towns, cities, and businesses often Poorly designed lighting on roadways and highways everyone. You can create a safer environment <br /> install lighting in parks, shopping contributes to tragic accidents. Motorists while preserving the natural night. Here are <br /> areas, parking lots, and other public and pedestrians can be temporarily some simple rules to follow: <br /> places to improve safety. blinded by glare from unshielded • <br /> streetlights and electronic signs. Use fully shielded, dark-sky friendly <br /> Improperly aimed and poorly shielded The problem is more acute for older fixtures. That means lights shine down, not <br /> lights can actually attract criminals and individuals. up, and don't create glare and contrasts. <br /> allow them to see what they're doing. Property damage • Only use lights when and where needed. <br /> may be exacerbated by too many lights, particularly dawn- A 2015 study published in the <br /> Journal of E idemiolo and Communit Hea/th Install timers and dimmer switches, and <br /> to-dusk lighting. A study by the city of Chicago actually P �' y turn off lights when not in use. If you must <br /> found a correlation between increased crime and brightly found that streetlights don't prevent accidents or <br /> lit alleyways. <br /> crime, but do cost a lot of money. have security lighting, use motion sensors. <br /> • Use the right amount of light. Too much <br /> light is wasteful and impairs vision. <br /> � "'" r ' � �# a - � � �:" •'" • Use long-wavelength lights with a red or <br /> . .�. <br /> x�;, �_ '� yellow tint to minimize negative health <br /> • � ' •'' - '" effects. <br /> - . • - . • � � . . <br /> • Good lighting design can mitigate glare. <br /> ' ' ' - � � � � Cities and towns can restrict the use <br /> ��r�I <br /> •" - ' � ' ' ' = �" I � of bright signs and f�ashing lights near <br /> - • ' ' • • ' roadways. <br /> . . ,. . .... . . - <br /> � � � � ' � ' ' ' � ' � � ��`� ' --: Visit darksky.org for more information. <br /> ..F�';:��'� y`n j •�-��?. .'�` � : <br /> E "r�r�``"'t,it� � � <br /> � � :.���.�r. � �S`;� �`., .,� .�, <br /> . . . . �. .,� <br /> .:, �.,,-s f -- <br /> ,scy-.k� , , _- �... <br /> • .+A. �r,--" �„ <br /> .. 'a � __ _--_. -' �—_. �",I <br />