Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, announced Monday a Downtown Residential Lighting Initiative to be introduced in the 2009 budget.
In collaboration with students, downtown businesses and the city and university police departments, Judge hopes the comprehensive lighting program will enhance campus and Madison pedestrian safety.
The Downtown Residential Lighting Initiative is a $50,000 budget amendment to install lighting within the parameters of Patterson Street on the east and Randall Avenue/Regent Street on the west.
It is my hope that the DRLI will take away places for would-be attackers to hide while also making our neighborhood a more friendly place for visitors,"" Judge said in a statement.
According to Judge, the idea for the program was formed when UW-Madison fraternity Zeta Beta Tau was broken into and robbed several times. They asked their landlords to install lighting on the sides of the house, and they have not had a single break-in since, Judge said. He said he asked patrolling police officers their opinions on what to do to improve downtown safety.
""The most frequent response was always, 'Light the spaces between the apartments,'"" Judge said. Details of the initiative's implementation will be confirmed through consultations with the Public Safety Review Board and the Economic Development Division.
Improved lighting would affect businesses and their customers. Mary Carbine, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District, said she is looking forward to getting involved.
""It's a great idea to figure out a public/private partnership that helps enhance exterior lighting - especially to increase safety,"" Carbine said.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz supports the amendment. According to Cieslewicz, increased pedestrian lighting has been effective in the past in addressing problems in the downtown area.
""Ald. Judge's new lighting initiative furthers Madison's objective of improving safety and takes an innovative approach to do so,"" he said in a statement. ""I am excited to work with Ald. Judge in its implementation.""
