Detroit Leaders Discuss Issue Of Dangerously Dark Streets
DETROIT (WWJ) - A discussion on dangerously dark streets in Detroit had to be rescheduled after no one from Mayor Dave Bing's staff showed up to answer questions.
When the lights go out in Detroit, Detroit City Councilman James Tate says it's Council members who get the complaint calls from residents.
"Definitely get hit with it on a daily basis. Whether it's through phone calls or out in the community when we're there, or just in my neighborhood lights are out," said Tate.
Tate said Council and the Mayor are partners and must find a solution what is a decades-old problem in the city.
"In terms of, what we talked about, a longterm plan and not just quick fixes, it is imperative that we work on his now," said Tate. "This is crisis mode. Now we've got to work on it and move."
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman Council President Pro Tem Gary is calling for an independent agency to evaluate Detroit Public Lighting to determine its value and the cost of improving the system.
"This is a public safety issue," said Brown. "There's no bigger public safety issue than getting the lights on in the city of Detroit and really explaining to Detroiters what the plan is."
"It's gone on way too long in way too many areas of our city now," he said.
Following a widespread power outage early last month, Tate suggested that the city should consider giving away control of its Public Lighting system.
The meeting planned for Monday was rescheduled for October 31.
