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Brighter streetlights cut nighttime violence, but only for a while, study finds
Researchers found the drop was driven mainly by fewer aggravated assaults and robberies after 1,419 fixtures were replaced, but the effect faded over time.
- Outdoor nighttime violent crime plummeted by about 46% in Newark, New Jersey neighborhoods during the first six months after Public Service Electric and Gas Company swapped aging streetlights for LED fixtures.
- The utility company installed 1,419 new LED streetlights across Newark between 2019 and 2021, targeting neighborhoods selected by the Rutgers University-Newark Public Safety Collaborative based on historical crime patterns.
- Researchers analyzed violent crimes within 200 feet of upgraded lights, finding that reductions centered on aggravated assaults and robberies rather than other offense categories.
- The initial gains eroded over time; upgrades produced no statistically significant violent crime reduction by year two and showed no meaningful impact on property crime.
- A four-country review found about 14% crime reductions from lighting improvements, and Newark researchers detected no evidence that crime displaced to unlit nearby areas.
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Brighter streetlights cut nighttime violence, but only for a while, study finds • Rhode Island Current
As days grow shorter and darkness arrives earlier across much of the country, a new study suggests that brighter streetlights may help reduce nighttime violence — at least temporarily. Researchers found that outdoor nighttime violent crime fell by about 46% in targeted areas of Newark, New Jersey, during the first six months after aging streetlights […]
Pennsylvania Capital-Star+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Brighter streetlights cut nighttime violence, but only for a while, study finds
As days grow shorter and darkness arrives earlier across much of the country, a new study suggests that brighter streetlights may help reduce nighttime violence — at least temporarily.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left13Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Left
Bias Distribution
- 93% of the sources lean Left
93% Left
L 93%
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