Street Lighting: Still Wondering Why It Is Out?

Everyone is well aware that street lighting in the City is suffering due to theft and vandalism. Sadly, this is noticeable all over Silver Lake. Concerns were raised at a recent downtown event with Miguel Sangalang, Director of the Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL).

Sangalang is well aware of the issues with theft and vandalism. The City has over 223,000 street lights, with 400 different styles. These lights are connected by 9,000 miles of conduit and 27,000 miles of copper wire. One of the first cities in the United States to convert to

LED lighting, this saves the City $10 million annually. This year, the Bureau of Street Lighting celebrates 100 years of its’ existence - established in 1925 to combat crime.

The lighting infrastructure is old, and in need of capital replacement and investment. About 100,000 lights are at the end of their useful life – 42% of the City’s street lighting. At the same time, Sangalang noted the city has reached all time highs of theft and vandalism. To combat

thefts, the City is moving to battery and solar options as the lights are replaced. Other solutions include burying pullboxes and welding them shut, which are harder to maintain when lights need servicing – but he noted, the solutions do eliminate theft and vandalism. And LED

lighting lasts 10 to 15 years, so the maintenance is deferred.

While BSL is making every effort to repair outages, funding is an issue. Street lighting is specially funded, financed primarily by the Street Lighting Maintenance Assessment Fund that generates $45 million annually. This fund covers all costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the City’s street lighting system. This funding has not been changed in 30 years, and has not been adjusted for inflation – which compounds the problem. Of the $45 million, $15 million immediately goes to DWP for electricity costs…leaving only $30

million to maintain and replace lighting.

Repairs are first in/first out. Neighborhoods do not receive any special treatment. And the current backlog is 9 months to a year for resolution. Revenue is an issue, and the City is trying to generate revenue by installing electric vehicle charges utilizing the existing infrastructure. These charging stations are creating revenue to fund the BSL.

Per Sangalang, the City is proposing a vote this winter on an assessment to resolve the street lighting issue. Currently, the average parcel pays $53 per year for street lighting. The anticipated measure would double that cost, to $123 per year.

SLT will be monitoring the City’s assessment plans, and encourages residents to report outages.

Learn more and report outages:

LA Bureau of Street Lighting