Stockton Residents Leaving Porch Lights On To Deter Crime
STOCKTON (CBS13) - With nearly 60 murders alone this year in Stockton, residents are adopting a bright new program that they hope will deter criminals.
The new spotlight on a safety program is hoping to curb that high crime rate. But as CBS13's Laura Cole explains, some question whether it will make any difference at all.
The program is called "Light Up the Night" and its very easy. All it requires is a light bulb and leaving your porch light on.
Stockton resident Sam Marler knows when night fall the streets of Stockton become an easier target for crime.
"Crime is up all over everywhere," said Sam.
He's hoping by lighting up his house it will deter criminals from his neighborhood.
"I do leave mine on all night to deter crime, so it should work," said Sam.
"Crime hates it bright," said city councilwoman Diana Lowery.
Lowery started the program.
"Utilizing them to light up each home, each block, each street one by one so we can help reduce crime in our community," she said.
And with more than $3,000 in donated 19-watt CFL light bulbs, people showed up, took a few and installed them themselves.
But not everyone thinks the program will keep the criminals away.
"I really don't think it's going to make much of a difference, if at all," said Ellen Simas, a Stockton resident.
Simas believes thieves will steal whether the lights are on or off.
"I really wasn't sure that was really going to deter, you know, burglars," said Simas.
But the Carder family couldn't disagree more.
"I think it's a wonderful program. It's economical that you could light up the night for a couple of cents," said a family member.
Their street is already lit up. And for the price of a little less than one cup of coffee a month, they can leave the light on from dusk to dawn, giving them the belief that flipping the switch will be the difference in protecting Stockton's Miracle Mile community.
And from the looks of it, most people in this neighborhood think the program is a bright idea.
The city hopes to be able to expand the program and get more donated light bulbs for the rest of the city.
