Darkness in Herzberg: Residents demand the return of street lighting!

Darkness in Herzberg: Residents demand the return of street lighting!

In Herzberg am Harz, the nighttime street lighting has been switched off since 2022, and this is causing discussion among residents. Many are calling for more lights at night as they raise concerns about their safety and increased risk of falls given the dark streets. As the News38 reported, despite these protests, the city decided not to put the street lights back into operation. Behind this decision are the sharp rise in energy prices, which can be seen as a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine.

The dark hours between midnight and 4 a.m. bring with them some challenges. Residents fear that the absence of light could increase crime and accidents. However, Frank Grube, the head of the Herzberg police station, assures that the city is safe even at night. He explains that although darkness can create a feeling of unease, the likelihood of becoming a victim of violence at night is very low.

Environmental protection and light pollution

Additionally, the city considers environmental reasons. Reference is made to light pollution, which endangers the population of nocturnal insects. Billions of insects die every year because they are attracted to artificial light sources, which not only has a catastrophic impact on pollinators, but also on ecosystems as a whole. The NABU describes how lighting in Europe is continually getting brighter, causing critical damage to insects, birds and bats.

In order to counteract these negative effects, environmentally friendly lighting is required. This includes the use of energy-efficient technologies, limiting the number and orientation of lamps and careful use of the light color. These may be measures the city should consider in the future to ensure citizens' sense of security and environmental protection at the same time.

Renovation of lighting technology

Although the current lighting situation in Herzberg also faces challenges, modernizing street lighting could bring a positive change. Many of the existing streetlights are outdated and waste enormous amounts of electricity every year. In Germany, such lighting systems are estimated to waste between 3 and 4 billion kilowatt hours annually. How Godfathers of the night describes in their recommendations, the use of fully shielded lights and the avoidance of unnecessary light scattering would not only be efficient, but also environmentally friendly.

Consequently, rethinking street lighting could not only greatly reduce energy costs, but also protect the ecosystem while increasing citizens' sense of security. This shows that the challenges of street lighting in Herzberg am Harz require a good hand to unite all interests.