Officials in southern Michigan are distributing free lightbulbs and having volunteers help install them in neighborhoods as part of an initiative to curb crime.
The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports that Jackson officials will be passing out free LED lightbulbs on five Thursday evenings throughout the summer starting July 12. Utility Consumers Energy donated 1,500 lightbulbs to the Light Up the City initiative.
Councilwoman Arlene Robinson says the initiative aims to use business partnerships and volunteers to build a "brighter, safer future" for the city. Volunteers will go door to door, encouraging residents to turn on their porch lights.
The Jackson utility's spokesman Brian Wheeler says lighting neighborhoods is a method to deter crime. He says the program has seen success in Saginaw, Flint and Muskegon.