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Cal Poly students' concerns over lack of street lights prompt action by the city

Posted at 5:33 PM, Nov 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-11 23:14:40-05

The lack of street lights around neighborhoods near Cal Poly has been a problem students want addressed.

"I was like genuinely scared to walk home from campus at night," said Hannah Glazer, Cal Poly student.

Glazer isn't alone.

Her fear of walking home at night around a university she calls home is a feeling that's common among other students living off campus.

"I kinda feel uncomfortable walking home alone," said Kelsey Luvisa, Cal Poly student.

"It's been like a big issue for me personally just because I'm like super paranoid and so especially when I'm walking somewhere by myself, it's definitely scary," said Kyla Osburn, Cal Poly student.

KSBY reported on the lack of streetlights and student's concerns less than a month ago.

Since then, the City of San Luis Obispo has added two street lights.

On October 25, a light was installed at Hathway Avenue and Via Carta. Shortly after, another on Grand Avenue and Fredericks Street.

Some students are pleased to see the city working toward a solution.

"I think it's great that the city's adding some. I think it means that they've heard our requests and they heard our fears and that they're willing to act on it fast. I think that means a lot because it means that they're listening," Glazer said.

"The fact that the city is being proactive and are implementing them, I think that will really help make students feel more comfortable walking alone," Luvisa said.

Others still think there are more street lights to be added before they can feel safe walking home.

"Adding a few street lights in a few locations, that still leaves the majority of SLO where students are living and walking home late at night without that added feeling of protection," Osburn said.

The City of San Luis Obispo says they anticipate more street lights coming to the neighborhoods surrounding Cal Poly's campus in the future.

The city manager for San Luis Obispo says that each additional street light costs around $25,000.