Atlanta begins to add 10,000 streetlights throughout the city to reduce crime

Work is officially underway to install 10,000 new streetlights across Atlanta in an effort to reduce crime.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was joined by Georgia Power’s Chris Womack, city transportation commissioner Josh Rowan, and City Council member Andrea Boone to celebrate the launch of the citywide “One Atlanta — Light Up the Night” project.

Rowan said Atlanta is already replacing some of the 2,500 broken lights, and there are plans to to install 7,500 new lights across the city, especially in the south and west sides of the city. The city and Georgia Power are partnering to deliver the lighting installation project for substantial completion by the end of 2022, according to the mayor’s office.

The work is expected to improve right-of-way lighting on more than 3,100 roads in more than 100 neighborhoods. Additionally, the LED lights could provide a 40% drop in the city’s energy use and lower its annual carbon footprint by approximately 2,000 tons.

Bottoms said the new lights will also reduce traffic accidents, “furthering our Administration’s mission to build safe, welcoming and thriving communities in Atlanta.”

“The City of Atlanta is replicating successful lighting initiatives implemented in New York, Detroit, and other U.S. cities that have seen significant reduction in crime and crash rates,” said Rowan.

Womack, Georgia Power’s chairman, president and CEO, said Atlanta’s “forward-looking” initiative will contribute to a “better, more efficient roadway” as Georgia continues to grow with more residents.

The ceremony occurred Tuesday in front of the iVIllage @ MLK retail center near the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station. At the event, Westside resident Cynthia Dunn-Duhart told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she was happy to see work underway to illuminate her community.

“When we moved here we didn’t need lights, but as things changed and the elements in our society changed, we were met with darkness,” said Dunn-Duhart, who is 70 years old.

“We’re very excited because lights will dispel darkness, which is a criminal element in the city, and our communities are comprised of older people.”