disabling streetlights

[Barrykgerdes]

Here are a few suggestions for neighbours bright lights.
1. Place a mirror carefully to reflect the light back on their bedroom windows.

2. have an equally obtrusive light pointing their way operated by a light sensitive switch that turns it on whenever the offending light is on.

3. Similar device that plays loud music and party noises triggered by the light

It wont take them long to realise that the prblem stops as soon as the lights go out.

Street lights! well I have already seen many perfect methods posted (no further comment needed). However I have a few old car batteries that I can salvage the lead from.


Barry

[stephenb (Stephen)]

I would suggest that this thread is advocating criminal damage to property owned council or energy suppliers and the comments made and the actions implied in those comments are totally irresponsible.

I am aware that 3 energy suppliers have been made aware of this thread and are monitoring the comments made by the members of this forum.

I rely (and in fact pay for through my energy bills) on safe and secure streets at all times and that includes adequate lighting at night.

You just cannot go around damaging street lighting and assets because you want a dark backyard for your telescope.

I ask you to take a step back, read what some of you have posted, then tell me I am completely wrong.

Feel free to criticise and laugh off my reply but I will comment no further on this.

[LewisM]

May we inquire HOW you are aware of 3 energy suppliers being made aware of this thread?

[WingnutR32 (Sam)]

I will happily laugh off your reply. Asking nicely does not work these days, I asked nicely and in the end was give 4 brand new streetlights surrounding my house because I asked for one street light to be modified as my nieces and nephews could not sleep... Thanks, hope that was funny for them.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

We have a dangerous bend out the front of our house. Cars would speed and then slide around the corner (more so in the wet), with several either spinning out or smashing the gutter. One guy broke his rear axle.

The wife and I came home one night to find skid marks that just ended before a tree. It looked as though the car was very lucky in that it stopped just before the tree.

I had enough of it and complained to the council. There is a light on the corner but it's not the best. I didn't particularly want a brighter light or more lights put up so I asked for those yellow and black reflector signs to be put there. The council investigated and agreed to put the signs up. Have only noticed one person spinning out since the council put up a signs and that was during the day. We haven't heard anyone skid/crash during the night.

So, positive for me as no more lighting was put up but bend now safer .

In saying all this, I'm fairly lucky as there are no nearby street lights that interfere with my viewing/imaging. We are on a corner block and I'm surprised there's no light directly on the corner. Hopefully it remains that way otherwise it would be a problem for me.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Ric

What's a street light.

My nearest street light is probably around 25km away.

You poor thing. The crime rate must be horrendous.

[Octane (Humayun)]

lol, touché.

H

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

You poor thing. The crime rate must be horrendous.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Octane

lol, touché.

I thought the crime rate was proportional to the contrast. The brighter the highlights the less chance you'll see the burgular in the shadows.

[CJ (Chris)]

There are streetlights in Europe that are specifically designed to prevent unnecessary light pollution. I don't know if such a thing exists in Australia. If it does, they certainly didn't use them down my street. No horizontal, and some upward, dispersion control at all! And they look crap!

[graphworlok (James)]

Whatever you do, dont be like sk0t!

https://encyclopediadramatica.se/SkOt

[2stroke (Jay)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

May we inquire HOW you are aware of 3 energy suppliers being made aware of this thread?

Because his the snitch Though he does make some very good points we just have our bills up'd more by replacing street lights that people break. They do help with crime and would you want your child raped on a dark street. They do suck but instead of breaking or disabling them think of ways you can shield yourself from the light instead. You can setup fence extensions to block light and install blinds ect and have the benefits of safety these lights give us.

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Originally Posted by 2stroke

They do help with crime and would you want your child raped on a dark street.

Studies seem to prove otherwise.
http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/...ml#noreduction
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/no...igrationpolicy
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...dfs/fcpu28.pdf

The principal conclusion is that no evidence could be found to support the
hypothesis that improved street lighting reduces reported crime. Although some
areas and some crime types did show reductions in night-time crime relative to the
day-light control, the dominant overall pattern, from which this study draws its

authority, was of no significant change

And as the UK turns off more lights at night the more studies appear.

[2stroke (Jay)]

Those are bias facts from people whom are pushing against light pollution, come to the suburbs and then do your survey. Trust me buddie when your ripping stuff off you don't want to be seen Maybe look at the time in which these crimes mostly take place and factor that into the equation.

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

The studies are there, many have been done by the police, government and councils who have no interest or dark sky agenda. Most do factor in the times seeing as that is the point of the study to begin with. These switch offs are not designed for a reduction in crime nor are they designed for astronomers and when the public start crying their fears about increased crime the authorities ran their own studies and found the results surprising themselves.
The numbers don't lie about it and even in some cases the results are mixed but it doesn't show increased crime rates, I'm afraid lights or no lights crime is probably something we will still have to live with.

Here is one from Oz that tells how crime fell during powercuts. http://asv.org.au/lpoll/lpdoc.htm

To be honest most people would be happy for a light shield not a turn off and that is a fair solution which also allows the public their street lighting. What is not acceptable is to be told to "buy thicker curtains".

I'll also add I'm in no way supporting the vandalisation of public property even if I can understand where the feeling one may need to do that comes from.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

They do suck but instead of breaking or disabling them think of ways you can shield yourself from the light instead. You can setup fence extensions to block light and install blinds ect and have the benefits of safety these lights give us.

If I was to put up a fence extension to block the Hg vapour I would need a 4 storey building permit, and lose my entire northern horizon.

I was going to say much the same about incorrect lighting as Jarrod.

[Ric]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

You poor thing. The crime rate must be horrendous.

Yep, the parrots keep pinching the fruit of the trees.

[theodog (Jeff)]

Originally Posted by Ric

Yep, the parrots keep pinching the fruit of the trees.

Kangaroos got our parsley out of the garden last night!
Organised crime

[AstralTraveller (David)]

I don't think anyone objects to sensible security lights but the problem is we are overwhelmed by insane insecurity lights. I've never resorted to vandalism (I'd need a palette of black paint just to make a start around here) but I can empathise with those who are thinking that way. I'd just ask whether it's worth the potential consequences.

Originally Posted by Ric

Yep, the parrots keep pinching the fruit of the trees.

Well, there is another crime committed in broad daylight. [I assume you don't have night parrots there.]

[asimov (John)]

Hmmm legally speaking, if something happens to the *street light in question*, you are toast - The only trouble with discussing illegal things in public hey..Got it in writing.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by stephenb

I would suggest that this thread is advocating criminal damage to property owned council or energy suppliers and the comments made and the actions implied in those comments are totally irresponsible..

Ok I'll Bite..... I think most people know the difference between jest and not and your also forgetting that there are people in this thread advocating legal ways to overcome light pollution issue. I do not advocate damage to public utilities but this thread does have some basic usefulness and this may be informative to users who have to put up with light pollution.

Originally Posted by stephenb

I am aware that 3 energy suppliers have been made aware of this thread and are monitoring the comments made by the members of this forum..

Sorry to burst your bubble what some people say and what they actually do is not the same and in any case saying you did something is not proof of illegality in a court unless you state it in court or an affidavit to police or magistrate. Of course you know people or energy suppliers cannot go an get names and addresses from users (I/P) on this forum without a police investigation, court order/warrant...and that won't happen on the information posted so far. Big brother is not watching and to say so is vexatious!

Originally Posted by stephenb

I rely (and in fact pay for through my energy bills) on safe and secure streets at all times and that includes adequate lighting at night.

And some people see excessive lighting as nothing but light pollution. I also pay my bills and rely on street lighting but sometimes it is intrusive.....especially if it is shining into your bedroom at night....some people like cats some don't!

Originally Posted by stephenb

You just cannot go around damaging street lighting and assets because you want a dark backyard for your telescope.

I agree but you can understand the frustration of people trying correct channels that lead nowhere and as I said what some people say they do and what they actually do are 2 different things. That said I agree with this, damage to public property is not on.

Originally Posted by stephenb

I ask you to take a step back, read what some of you have posted, then tell me I am completely wrong.

No not completely wrong..... but wrong on some accounts.

Originally Posted by stephenb

Feel free to criticise and laugh off my reply but I will comment no further on this.

Not laughing it off but I feel that you made some statements that implied people were being watched ...the corollary of this they would be found and charged ...is laughable.