The Strand condo on Waterfront Drive Safe enough in the day but the park across the street can be very dark.
Los Angeles The 6th Street Bridge before (left) and after (right) the LED conversion (Bureau of Street Lighting )
The Downtown Business Improvement Zone from the downtown has released another study that says that people feel safer living downtown.
The women interviewed said they don't feel safe at night and the BIZ talked about their security programs and push for more police. Fairly standard moves and ones that can and do make people more secure. However, there are other ways for the city to try and make the downtown feel safer.
The one thing that is often heard is that people are afraid to go out at night. And why wouldn't they be? They sightlines are limited, the shadows are perfect for hiding and there are fewer people than the day. One of the big changes that seem to make the most sense is to find better lighting.
All over North America cities are changing from high pressure sodium lights to LED lights. As with many things, Winnipeg seems very slow to adopt the idea.
Los Angeles is well on the way in terms of transforming its streets. The picture above shows the difference. Some people hated the brightness but others emphasized that they are more efficient and also made people more secure in their neighbourhoods. If there is one place where the lights make sense it is the downtown.
I suspect this isn't even on the city's radar.
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