The American Austin City Police Department and Austin Energy Board cooperated recently to provide more protections to their residents. Since 2011, the crime rate of Austin was significant increased. In order to control this phenomenon, these two institutions planned to installed LED road lighting applications at three most dangerous places in Austin.
Austin Energy spokesman Carlos Cordova announced that “criminals do not like to commit offenses in broad daylight and also in well-lit places. They do not want to be seen when they do bad things.”
According to the requirements of local Police Department, Austin Energy erected 25 pieces LED street lights in three “most dangerous places”. “LED lights are more energy efficient. That is the reason why at the same power consuming level, LED lights send out more light than other traditional lamps.” It has also been proved that, places that installed LED road lighting applications are much brighter than before. Cordova also said that “in good lighting environment, people can enjoy their recreational activities, need not to worry about security issues.”
The test results of the 8th and the 9th Avenue were really satisfactory. It seems that urban lighting projects also became one of a series of policies against urban crime. From 2011 to the early of 2012, the violent crime rate of Austin grew by 15%. But by July, 5 months after LED street lights have been installed, the violent crime rate only grew by 7.8%. The local government indicated that they were planning an even larger LED-technology involved city lighting project, in which around 70,000 pieces LED lamps will be updated. This project will still be conducted by Austin Energy and supported by the local government.
This new LED lighting products can reduce the crime rate effectively. Japan is the first country that applied this technology to reduce the exaggerated urban crime rate. At first, these lamps have been named as LED guard lights, gradually replaced traditional fluorescent lamps and were installed in narrow streets. Besides, it has been proved that blue-rays can make people calm down. Some LED guard lights would be made in blue light.
In the mean time, City of Pontiac, Michigan, USA also replaced some of their traditional road lamps with LED street lights. Totally 112 pieces LED street lamps (approximated $68,3800) were used.