6 days ago
Safety program lights the way for Glenwood Avenue
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A stretch of Glenwood Avenue is looking a little brighter these days thanks to a program from the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Program aimed at improving lighting and cutting crime.
Back in January, a pedestrian was hit at the intersection along Glenwood across from the Salvation Army and Southern Tavern. It's something the YNDC is trying to shine a light on to avoid any more dark situations.
'It was really, really dark,' said Ebony Billups, an employee of the tavern. 'You could hardly see people crossing the street. It makes a big difference, especially at night.'
From High Street to the Youngstown-Boardman border, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation has been installing new exterior lighting on businesses and providing more than 200 doorbell cameras to residents. It's all a part of their Community Safety Program to improve security along the Glenwood Corridor.
'Security lighting and doorbell cameras are actually evidence-based practices for helping to solve evidence-based crime,' said Jack Daugherty, YNDC Neighborhood Stabilization director. 'They also help to give folks in our neighborhoods over the safety in our neighborhoods.'
The safety push took on a new urgency in January when a pedestrian was hit near the intersection of Glenwood and Cleveland Street. Local business owners say it's already making a difference.
'It's lit up like Friday night lights,' Billups said. 'You can see really good, and then our cameras and the Salvation Army's Cameras, you can see everybody better.'
YNDC says data drives the project. Partnering with YSU, they've looked at crime patterns and lighting gaps, identifying various businesses along Glenwood as a top priority.
The project came to light after speaking directly to residents who addressed safety and speed concerns along the busy road.
'The 80th percentile speed, I think, in this portion of Glenwood, last I checked, was like 45 mph. The speed limit is 35,' Daugherty said. 'That means 80% of people traveling on this road are going 10 miles above the speed limit on a typical day.'
Over the last year, YNDC has installed lighting at more than two-dozen businesses along the corridor, lighting up Glenwood one block at a time.
'Having that extra light makes people feel safer crossing the street. Safer waiting for the bus. Safer in their businesses. Safer in their neighborhoods,' Daugherty said.
YNDC says this program is far from over and it's looking at expanding it to other areas of the city.
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