NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
11 February 2004

CITY SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING INOPERABLE STREETLIGHTS

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today encouraged Harrisburg residents to assist the city in identifying inoperable streetlights located in their neighborhoods by reporting them to the city’s contracted lighting service provider, who can usually repair the lights within a few days.

Reed said except for streetlights in the downtown area, the city took ownership of most of the streetlights in Harrisburg several years ago and contracted with the McClure Company to provide repair services on the more than 5,000 streetlights citywide. “While city personnel regularly report streetlights that are out, the public’s assistance in identifying and reporting darkened streetlights will greatly assist our efforts to maintain a fully operational streetlighting system,” said the Mayor.

“Fundamentally, streetlights are an important element of public safety and also help to serve as a deterrent to criminal and other unwanted behavior,” Reed added.

Reed said citizens should determine the specific location of an inoperable streetlight, including the street name, the hundred block of street address nearest to the pole, the side of the street on which the pole is located, such as east, north, south or west side, and, if possible the respective pole number of the burned out light. The information should then be called in to the city’s streetlighting contractor at 1.800.382.1319. Repairs are normally conducted within 48 hours of being reported.

XXX