EDITORIAL: Getting new lighting sooner

If the UC Brite initiative is to be successful, the University needs to act faster. The University should take a more active role in getting West Philadelphia residents to participate. While it is admirable that Penn has already helped establish a $25,000 fund for the initiative, administrators can't wait around for landlords to make up their minds. The system the program currently operates under which is inefficient. Having all the residents of a block elect a block captain before dealing with program administrators takes too long. University officials should meet with several of the larger landlords in the area -- such as University City Associates and University City Housing -- and actively encourage them to participate in UC Brite. Students, faculty and staff who live in the University City area, should also urge their landlords to put up the money needed for lighting their blocks. Be persistent in getting your landlord to agree to improve lighting on your block. If your landlord still refuses, talk to the Office of Off-Campus Living to put pressure on your landlord. There are many benefits to the UC Brite initiative if it is able to succeed. While it has not been statistically proven that better lighting lowers crime, a well-lit area does give the perception of safety. Lighting a block also adds to neighborhood beautification. If the University and its partners want to successfully light up the neighborhood, get residents and landlords more involved in the program and get more lights up sooner.