New streetlights illuminate Wilton, Ridgewood Place
LOCAL CHILDREN helped Ed Ebrahimian, left, director of the Bureau of Street Lighting, Nona Friedman and Councilman Tom LaBonge flip the switch to turn on the new streetlights.
The nights are a lot brighter on Ridgewood Place and parts of First Street and Wilton Drive thanks to the tenacity of a group of area residents.
A ceremony in June marked the culmination of two attempts over nearly a decade to have streetlights installed in the neighborhood just south of Beverly Blvd.
Resident Nona Friedman spearheaded the most recent campaign following a series of burglaries in the area as well as reports of prostitutes who took advantage of the darkened streets to ply their trade. “Before, you would never even walk your dog down the street at night without a flashlight,” said Friedman. “There are a lot of trees, and it was just pitch dark.”
When burglars twice targeted a home that was being renovated before its owners moved in, Sheila Irani, who was a field deputy at the time in Councilman LaBonge’s office, encouraged residents to have the lights installed. “L.A.P.D. Olympic Division senior lead officer Joe Pelayo told her the lights would solve a lot of the problems, so that’s when we renewed our efforts,” said Friedman.
The lights were paid for by residents, who voted early last year on whether or not to assess themselves from $6,500 to approximately $10,000 each (based on property frontage).
LIGHTS were paid for by residents.
Of the 40 ballots out of 56 that were returned, 24 property owners voted in favor of the Light District, meaning everyone has to pay, “whether you voted yes or nor or didn’t vote at all,” said Friedman.
Residents have the option of paying all at once, or over 10 years, plus a small annual maintenance fee for the 33 classic-style lights that replicate those seen in Windsor Square and Hancock Park.“The cost is substantial, but worth it,” said Friedman. And everyone she’s spoken to—even those who opposed the lighting project—are happy.
“The streetlights are an incredible improvement to our street,” said resident Alysoun Higgins. “They provide a unifying look with the surrounding neighborhoods and show that we’re a community that cares. “At night, the lights provide greater visibility for pedestrians and already seem to be reducing the amount of unwanted nighttime activity on our streets,” she added.
“Officer Pelayo was so supportive, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of Councilman Tom LaBonge’s office, especially Sheila Irani, who helped us overcome so many obstacles,” said Friedman.
“It’s awesome,” she added. “The lights are even better than I thought they would be.”
Category: News
