Porch Lights and Safety

[concourse]

Walking on different streets in Philly can feel drastically different at night solely because of how many neighbors leave their front lights on. It feels much better to walk on streets where lights have been left on. My old police department used to encourage residents to leave their lights on, I couldn't find it on PPD's website but the Memphis police mention it. I'm curious why people turn off their lights at night--or never turn them on--and how they can be encouraged to do so? Thoughts?

[6enny]

I turn mine on every night, and I have a street light right across the street. I feel like my neighbors all started doing it more after noticing mine.

I'd guess that not everybody does it because.
1) They don't want to waste electricity
2) They don't go outside at night and therefore never notice that it makes it look nicer/safer
3) They don't want the hassle of remembering to flick the switch on/off every night/morning

[dcss1205]

In some of the 'poorer' neighborhoods, they have long promoted this practice, including adding post lamps into both gardens and concrete paving. ie. N 29th Street above Master.

[concourse]

In some of the 'poorer' neighborhoods, they have long promoted this practice, including adding post lamps into both gardens and concrete paving. ie. N 29th Street above Master.

Yeah, I've seen thos mostly when homes don't have porch lights built into the facade. Where I live 95% of the houses have lights--but only 50% keep them on.

I turn mine on every night, and I have a street light right across the street. I feel like my neighbors all started doing it more after noticing mine.

I'd guess that not everybody does it because.
1) They don't want to waste electricity
2) They don't go outside at night and therefore never notice that it makes it look nicer/safer
3) They don't want the hassle of remembering to flick the switch on/off every night/morning

You're probably right that it's a combination of those. They don't want to always leave it on and waste electricity (even though it's pretty nominal if you have an under 10-watt CFL). Since they don't want to leave it on all the time they don't want the hassle of remembering when to turn it off and on and don't think it really provides that much safety. I guess I was hoping for some idea in this thread to convince people that it actually is an important safety precaution.

[BarryG]

When I first moved onto my block, I left the light on a couple times and my neighbor asked me not to. I left it on again by accident one time, and the bulb was helpfully loosened for me.

[concourse]

When I first moved onto my block, I left the light on a couple times and my neighbor asked me not to. I left it on again by accident one time, and the bulb was helpfully loosened for me.

They didn't want the light across from their house seeping into their window? We invented blinds for a reasons!

[BarryG]

They didn't want the light across from their house seeping into their window? We invented blinds for a reasons!

Think it had more to do with a fear of light when hanging on the stoop.

[OffenseTaken]

I'm curious why people turn off their lights at night--or never turn them on--and how they can be encouraged to do so? Thoughts?

Go to any suburban neighborhood where nothing happens and this is a no-brainer: you leave your front light on. Duh.

Why can't even the most basic rules be observed in this city? I hate people.

[Jaysmom]

When I first moved onto my block, I left the light on a couple times and my neighbor asked me not to. I left it on again by accident one time, and the bulb was helpfully loosened for me.

Lol - the neighbor directly across the street used to tell me my light would go right through her bedroom window, I started buying brighter bulbs she has a huge tree on her front lawn that covers her windows. and there is no way the light could be seen.

[Geno]

Most people on my block leave the porch lights on over night. I think it is a pretty effective deterrant for property crimes and make the street feel less lonely late at night.

[Oladybug]

I wish everyone on my block would leave their porch lights on all night. I understand it costs pennies a day to do so, a cheap investment for a safer block.

[concourse]

Think it had more to do with a fear of light when hanging on the stoop.

Hah, I didn't think of that answer. I guess sometimes you don't even want your neighbors to see what you're doing.

[Lolly]

SOSNA has been doing a "Lights On" / "Light Up The Night" event for the past couple of years to raise community awareness about just this sort of thing. They've been handing out free CFL bulbs from PECO in an effort to get more people to leave their porch lights on at night. I keep meaning to get a light-sensor installed but we just leave ours on 24/7 in the meantime.

[the mule]

My street is very well lit at night so I don't feel like wasting the electricity or contributing to light pollution. I also come home late and don't want to be assaulted by bugs when I enter my front door.

It can make sense in certain places, but I'm a person that likes it to be dark at night.

[concourse]

SOSNA has been doing a "Lights On" / "Light Up The Night" event for the past couple of years to raise community awareness about just this sort of thing. They've been handing out free CFL bulbs from PECO in an effort to get more people to leave their porch lights on at night. I keep meaning to get a light-sensor installed but we just leave ours on 24/7 in the meantime.

I'll have to see if my local civic has a similar program.

My street is very well lit at night so I don't feel like wasting the electricity or contributing to light pollution. I also come home late and don't want to be assaulted by bugs when I enter my front door.

It can make sense in certain places, but I'm a person that likes it to be dark at night.

I feel that until my neighborhood is a place where there are no muggings rather than a few muggings a month I'd rather see some extra light while walking outside. Inside I just bought better blinds.

[OldMama]

I have a row, no porch. I have a CFL light bulb in a light sensitive fixture- on at dusk off at dawn. It's great. How much can that possibly cost in electricity???

Also in my courtyard, which shouldn't be accessible to anyone but me (but who knows?), I have a motion sensitive light. A flood light. Way up high. Surprise!!

When I lived in Roxborough I was burgled. The thieves got in through a back window which they pried open. I had neglected to leave the back light on when I went out that evening. I truly believe that a motion light would have sent them running. And I'd still have my jewelry.

[WillABro]

I truly believe that a motion light would have sent them running. And I'd still have my jewelry.

I had a motion sensor light on my porch at a previous residence. Well, it apparently came on around the same time someone was attempting to break into my car. They ran off with minimal damage to my car versus a busted window and missing stereo. I left the face on the stereo like a dumba$$. Last time I did that.

[the mule]

I have a row, no porch. I have a CFL light bulb in a light sensitive fixture- on at dusk off at dawn. It's great. How much can that possibly cost in electricity???

Also in my courtyard, which shouldn't be accessible to anyone but me (but who knows?), I have a motion sensitive light. A flood light. Way up high. Surprise!!

When I lived in Roxborough I was burgled. The thieves got in through a back window which they pried open. I had neglected to leave the back light on when I went out that evening. I truly believe that a motion light would have sent them running. And I'd still have my jewelry.

Lights on motion sensors in alleys and backyards are always helpful for security and much less obtrusive to neighbors than leaving those lights on all the time.

[concourse]

Lights on motion sensors in alleys and backyards are always helpful for security and much less obtrusive to neighbors than leaving those lights on all the time.

That makes sense for places where people generally shouldn't be. It doesn't make as much sense for fronts of houses and streets where many people walk. The turning on and off of lights is more annoying in those instances.

[szekely]

My new neighbor's backyard light penetrates right through my blinds and into the bedroom, but I still approve. I'm going to have to get better blinds. Still, it's worth it if it discourages night prowlers.