On June 25th, the City of Jackson announced a new partnership with Consumers Energy and Michigan State Police aimed at building a safer city. Light Up The City: Jackson encourages residents to help create a safer community by working together, walking the streets and encouraging residents to turn on porch lights, the City announced in a press release.
Consumers Energy will be providing LED light bulbs, which will be bundled with safety materials that volunteers will distribute across Jackson.
“It’s no secret that two of the big problems we face as a city are lighting and crime. This initiative aims at tackling both with partnerships in the business community and volunteer citizens who are leaning in to building a brighter, safer future for our city,” said Arlene Robinson, City of Jackson Vice-Mayor and 1st Ward City Councilwoman. “People are the greatest resource for a safe environment and I am excited to see what we can do together for Jackson.”
The City plans to roll out the program this summer in Partnership Park, Flat Iron, King, Loomis, and East neighborhoods. Residents can expect volunteers to knock on their doors to ask if they may install the light bulbs during the scheduled walks. “We’ve seen this community effort have a dramatic effect on crime in other cities where it’s been pioneered – some areas in Saginaw saw a 16% drop in crime rates,” said Amber Clark, Consumers Energy market outreach specialist. “We are working in some of the hardest hit, darkest areas and plan to return to this work yearly to have a measurable effect right here in Jackson.”
The first walk for Light Up the City will take place July 12 from 5pm to 8pm at Saint John’s United Church of Christ. The second walk will take place July 26 from 5pm to 8pm at the Boos Recreation Center. For more information or to volunteer, visit the Light Up The City or City of Jackson web pages.
