In 2015, in the last Household Survey Moreland City Council published, 24% of households thought that street lighting should be the council’s #1 area for improvement. This was up from 17% the year before. Almost the same number of people (23% of those surveyed) thought CCTV in public areas was as important. Clearly, street lights and security go hand-in-hand.
With the Council reviewing their Public Lighting Policy in March this year, this week Amalgamated Locksmiths thought we would look at the history of street lights, and what our clients can do to feel safer in The City of Moreland.
Where is The City of Moreland?
The City of Moreland is a region in North Melbourne. Its council is responsible for the suburbs Batman, Brunswick, Brunswick East, Brunswick West, Coburg, Coburg North, Fawkner, Fitzroy North, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Merlynston, Moreland, Oak Park, Parkville, Pascoe Vale, Pascoe Vale South and Tullamarine. Our mobile and emergency locksmiths travel throughout The City of Moreland, offering free on-site quotes, timely safe services and professional lock repairs to domestic, commercial and automotive clients.
The History of Street Lights
Street lights make a community feel safer. Street lighting makes it harder for criminals to loiter around your property. Public lighting increases surveillance, security and foot traffic, in turn raising the chance a burglar will be spotted breaking into your property. Well-lit common areas also have fewer incidents of illegal activity, such as drug use, graffiti and vandalism.
Civilisations as old as the Roman Empire were lighting their streets, with the earliest lampposts dating back to the 4th Century AD, in what is now modern-day Syria. Some sources say that street lights were even being used in Peking some 800 years earlier!
Throughout history, security has been the main drive for lit-up city streets, with generations of torches, gas lights, electric and solar street lights being nicknamed “the efficient policeman”. In 1667, the Parisian Chief of Police ordered the town be lit by more streetlights than ever before (the first public light in Paris was erected in 1318), with harsh penalties for anyone caught damaging them. The city felt safer than ever and the police chief was praised. The Emperor Louis XIV acknowledged his efforts, commissioning a special medal. Paris is known as The City of Lights to this day.
Paris, brighter than ever, took away the cover of darkness under which many a crook would hide. Street lights are now the norm the world over, offering protection from muggers, murderers, and ne’er-do-wells. As the technology improved and cities grew, street lighting continued into the suburbs.
Why is Lighting Good for Security?
Long gone are the days of oil lamps that had to be lit by hand. Automa
tic, timed and sensor lights provide excellent, energy-efficient illumination when you need it, protecting your property from the dark. You may remember us featuring sensor lights as one of our Home Security Must-Haves. We may also recommend them for your commonarea, store or business.
Lighting makes it harder for criminals to hide, and more likely that they will be spotted. While deterring burglars, well-lit common areas feel safer and encourage lawful activities. For more information on common area lighting and its effects on surveillance and crime, read Crime Prevention Victoria’s factsheet or WA Police’s Lighting for Crime Prevention.
Good Street Lighting is Not Enough: What You Can Do?
If you are worried about the level of lighting in your street, you can request the council review it.
But remember, a good street light is not enough! Make sure you have high-quality locks on your doors and gates.
And while fences and bushes are good for privacy, make sure you are not creating hiding spots for would-be prowlers. If you are worried about your level of security for your home or business, contact Amalgamated Locksmiths today. We will arrange a free on-site quote to discuss your specific security needs, tailoring a security solution to you.
Our mobile and emergency locksmiths in Melbourne are available for all your locksmith needs. So whether you need sensor lights installed in Coburg, a door closer fitted in Brunswick, a panic bar repaired in North Melbourne, or an emergency locksmith to open a safe in Carlton, or for anything else (including automotive locksmith services), contact Amalgamated Locksmiths today!
