‘Mad or nah?’: Philly residents react to countless broken streetlights

Broken streetlight complaints in 2021 have tripled over the number submitted in 2020. N.I.C.E partner P.O.C hit the streets of Philadelphia to gauge community reaction.

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A cyclist rides in the day’s diminishing light

A cyclist rides in the day’s diminishing light, Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia isn’t just seeing a record-breaking number of homicides — it’s also darker.

According to a report from The Philadelphia Inquirer, broken streetlight complaints this year have tripled over the number submitted in 2020.

The dark streets not only promote crime, some argue, but in at least one case, the darkness has made crime harder to solve. The reason for the problem? A botched city contract.

 

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P.O.C, a partner in WHYY’s News and Information Exchange, hit the streets of Philadelphia to see how residents are reacting to the problem.

Saturdays just got more interesting.

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