Community Corner Blinded By The Light: What To Do About Light Pollution [Block Talk] Often, a polite talk will resolve issues with intrusive outdoor lighting; it may be time to ask local officials to address light pollution.
Several Patch readers told us for Block Talk that there’s no clear research that shows outdoor security lights are an effective crime deterrent, but their glare can disturb the quality of neighbors’ lives. (Shutterstock)
ACROSS AMERICA — Christine, a Pennsylvania Patch reader who asked what to do about her neighbor’s glaring security and work lights that shine into her home, has plenty of sympathy from those who answered our informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.
Some readers advised getting blackout curtains or blinds, sleep masks and simply adjusting, while many others said a cordial conversation with the neighbor could resolve the problem. Nashua (New Hampshire) Patch reader Mol tried all of that.
When a new neighbor moved in and installed lights that shined right into bedroom windows, Mol waited for a week, took over a plate of fresh-baked cookies and welcomed them to the neighborhood “and kindly asked him if he could reposition his spotlights, as they were shining in our bedroom windows.” So much for niceties.
“He said, ‘Hell no, I got too many things for people to steal in my driveway, and besides, I want to be able to see ’em before I shoot at them,’ ” Mol said. The neighbors didn’t speak for eight years, and “then police hauled him away in handcuffs.”
“Been dealing with it with our neighbors for years,” said Beth in Connecticut, who reads North Branford Patch, North Haven Patch and Branford Patch. “Their backyard floodlight shines right into my bedroom. We could make shadow puppets on the wall each night.” Beth installed room-darkening blinds, but wonders why “they couldn’t at least have them on a sensor.”
“I have floods that are on motion sensors,” she said. “They go on when there is movement. I’m not lighting up the neighborhood all night long.”
M’Lynn, a Livermore (California) Patch reader, said she already could not “see a single star in the sky” because of her neighbor’s bright lights when installed two more that are “so bright you can’t look at them.” “I have no need for a porch light on the side of my house,” M’Lynn said. Like Beth, she wondered, “Why can’t her lights be on a motion detector?” It’s Light Trespassing Several readers suggested getting local authorities involved to adopt and enforce light pollution ordinances. One of them was Jim, a Berkeley (New Jersey) Patch reader who is involved in The Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area, an organization that promotes dark skies in the state. “Light trespassing is a private property rights issue,” Jim said. Rather than single out a neighbor, Connecticut Patch reader Nattily Attired suggested getting all neighbors to sign onto a pledge with groups such as Lights Out Connecticut to turn off unnecessary lights during migratory bird season.
Hatboro-Horsham (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Kari also wants to see more defined light pollution codes. “It’s one thing to have a light, but a spotlight is a whole other story,” Kari said. “It’s different if one lived on a farm with lots of property, but at a suburban home where houses can be closer together and smaller plots of land, it is not necessary and is inconsiderate of neighbors.” “We call this ‘light trespassing,’ and yes, it is awful,” said Rockville Centre (New York) Patch reader Nimue. “Many flowering garden specimens demand a day-night sequence, so now they cannot flower,” Nimue said. “Lighting so bright to elicit a confession. One would think that common sense would prevail — but no.
Blinded By The Light: What To Do About Light Pollution [Block Talk]
