Monday, May 21, 2007
UPDATED: Dallas City Council considering shutting off city lights late at night
Updated 09:15 p.m., May 23, 2007
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DALLAS — To conserve energy and reduce power plants emissions, Dallas is looking at instituting a "dark skies" ordinance, in which businesses must shut off exterior lights and signage between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. or face a fine of up to $2K.
An AP story says that more than 1,000 cities have already done this, according to an estimate by an Arizona-based group called the International Dark-Sky Association.
This one seems like a no-brainer but of course the DMN feels compelled to find an opposing point of view. They get a goofus from the City Council who asks the ridiculous question, "Do we really want to be know as the City of Darkness, where Paris is the City of Light?"
The DMN references the Jimmie Dale Gilmore song "Dallas" ("Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?"), fair enough; but it seems like the more relevant reference might be the Bee Gees' "Massachusetts," i.e. "And the lights all went out in Massachusetts." Except, take away the "Massachusetts" and put in "Dallas."
UPDATE: Eh, nevermind. Business grumbles, dark at night, CRIME! maybe, plus, darken our treasured landmark ping-pong ball building? Egad no. Who needs green.
Posted by T.G.
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Comments
Sanders Kaufman Verified
I guess I'm a bad citizen - because I turn my outside lights on at night, and off during the day.
Maybe next week, they should pass a law requiring us to cut our lawn during the winter, but not during the spring.
That would save even MORE energy.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
DC Anonymous
Maybe if they actually put bulbs in the streetlights or cops on the street, I wouldn't care about this.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
milesi826 Anonymous
I wonder what will happen to crime in Dallas when the lights are turned off. I'll bet the losses, combined with increased police and court costs, may "out-shine" the savings on electricity.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
hpackard Anonymous
My biggest problem with this is the idea of the city forcing business property owners to darken their buildings at night. I think a much more agreeable, less imposing way to go about this would be for the city to initiate a Lights Out campaign asking businesses to VOLUNTARILY turn out their lights. Those business could be given some sort of recognition, and others can operate they way they should be able to in a free society.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Sanders Kaufman Verified
It's kinda weird to have one part of the city government (the politicans) telling us to turn OFF the lights at night, and another part of the city government (the cops) encouraging us to keep lights on for security.
If anybody knows of any businesses that are following the politicians' recommendation, please let me know. I want to go slip-and-fall on their darkened property so that I can sue the business AND the city.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
JW Richard Verified
Now, I don't see the problem with turning the neon signs and building lights off, as long as there are some a) well-positioned LED security lights left on and b) some actual working city street lights on nearby.
Dallas will still have its famous nighttime skyline until 2am.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
twisteddog Anonymous
The proposed ordinance is here. Just in case somebody needs it for informed debate.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Dylan Cave Verified
Dallas should go "black out" like it's 1940 in London. Last time I checked muggers were not equipped with the latest night vision technology. Yet.
2 years, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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