Have you noticed an increase in café lights strung throughout the neighborhood? Beautiful, right? Well, they’re not just there to be pretty, but to also supplement the streetlights to increase safety as part of an initiative launched by the CCA called “Get Lit Canton.”

The CCA Public Safety Committee believes one of the biggest deterrents of nighttime theft is a well-lit community. So, we are encouraging neighbors to “Get Lit” by adding exterior lighting to their homes and businesses.

On board to help is long-time CCA community partner and Canton resident, Chris Broughton. Here’s some info from Chris about how your block can “Get Lit”.

Hi Chris, let’s talk lighting. Neighbors want to know the details, so what’s the process?

If neighbors want to light their block with the popular strings of café lights, they should start by talking to each other, then designate a Block Captain* who should reach out to me via Facebook, phone, text or email.

Door knocking is an important part. Each resident/renter should be aware of their block’s desire to Get Lit and asked if they want to participate. Knowing how many neighbors want to join is crucial to the cost per neighbor.

Speaking of costs, what is the average cost per block and how is that determined?

Startup costs include materials and labor for the installation. The amount per person is determined by how many people on the block participate and obstacles to install. Consecutive houses are also key to keeping costs down. It makes more sense to look at each project from a per house price since block lengths vary from block to block. A good all-in estimate on a normal block is about $100 per house.

As far as long-term costs, there aren’t many. The LED bulbs are replaceable, around $1/bulb on Amazon, (though the sets come with a spare/spares) and have a rated lifespan of 15,000 hours. The actual lights are UV rated and a thick gauge cable (think extension cord thickness), so they don’t break down for many years via the elements. As long as someone on your block has a 6-12’ ladder you can easily swap bulbs yourself when that time comes. The other materials I use are also weather resistant and UV rated for years of reliable, worry-free service. I also offer a warranty on my installs.

How are the lights installed?

Generally speaking, we install one anchor and hook on the front of each participating house in a mortar joint just below the second-floor windows about 13.5-14’ high. We then install a stainless cable around 11.5-12’ high off the ground, connecting to street signs, light poles and trees. The lights bounce back and forth in a zig zag pattern from each hook to the cable and down to the next hook until we reach the end. We avoid touching brick as to not cause irreparable damage.

Why LED plug-in Café Lights v. Solar?

In most instances plug-in is the way to go. They’re consistently brighter than solar and aren’t dependent on hours of sunlight that solar panels need. Plug-ins are so efficient that the trade-off generally isn’t worth the minuscule amount of current draw. The plug-ins are also chainable while solar lights generally function as isolated systems. Meaning every house has a solar panel and their own lights separate from any neighbors.

With that said, if you live in an area with maximum sun exposure (south facing particularly, but east and west can have decent results) and none of your neighbors wish to participate, solar can be a viable option.

Who pays the monthly electric bill?

Typically, a single house powers the lights for the block. In longer blocks like 18-26 house blocks you can split it in two segments. I power the side of our EOG and 18 of the 24 houses on our block. It costs us about $4-5 additional each month on our BGE bill. Every block I’ve worked with has come up with a different way to handle paying for the electricity. Some blocks give the neighbor running the lights an upfront credit or pay them a cash sum for a few years of running them. Some blocks have a person who is just happy to have the lights and is willing to pay the bill themselves.

How’s the feedback from neighbors? Any comments from our local BPD?

From in-person responses and online responses the feedback I’ve heard has been by and large positive. I have people stop to talk to me on almost every install admiring the lights, complimenting how much brighter and safer it feels, and/or asking how they can get their block lit. The two patrol officers who have mentioned it to me appreciated having well-lit streets.

Is there anything else you’d like the community to know?

A 96’ section of the LED lights I use pulls 54 watts of current and will generally cover 3-4 houses. If you’re still running a 60-watt Incandescent bulb in your stoop light, it would actually save you money to run a 96’ strand and you would have about 10 times the light output.

For any handy people with tools, I’m happy to walk them through the process to install their block’s lights themselves. I can install a group of around a dozen houses in a single day. Neighbors may need a few weeks or even a month to get their neighbors on board and order the materials depending on how well they already know each other.

How should someone contact you to ask questions or to start the process on their block?

The two easiest ways to contact me are through Facebook Messenger @Chris Broughton and via phone or text @ 410-241-4696. Email works as well, but I only generally check it once a week chrissbroughton@gmail.com.

The CCA thanks Chris Broughton for leading the charge for better lighting and a safer neighborhood. Look for more security guidelines to follow in future issues of Life in Canton, including why it’s important to be a Block Captain.

Along with installing café lights, other options to be considered include:

• Hardwired Motion Sensing Security Lights (spotlights)

• LED Dusk to Dawn Bulbs

• LED Motion Activated Bulbs

These lights are available at Canton Ace Hardware at 1022 Binney Street or order from their website for curbside pickup at www.acehardware.com/search?query=outdoor+motion+sensor+light.

A lighted community is a safer community… so let's get neighborly and get lit!

*To volunteer to become a Block Captain, email info@cantoncommunity and put Block Captain in the subject line.

News & Notes

NEWS & NOTES

Get Neighborly and Get Lit