New Orleans repairs over 1,600 streetlights in Lights On initiative
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 5
New Orleans repairs over 1,600 streetlights in Lights On initiative
8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 5
Mayor Helena Moreno launched the $2.8m programme in January, starting in majority-Black New Orleans East and aiming to complete about 3,000 work orders citywide.
The city says LED lights and solar sensors, plus newly hired electricians, are intended to speed repairs, improve visibility and reduce crime opportunities in long-neglected neighbourhoods.
The effort follows years of outages after Hurricane Katrina, which residents and experts say reflected disinvestment, though some locals report feeling safer while others say lighting remains inadequate.
Beyond brighter streets, can smart lights truly fix decades of neighborhood neglect?
Is New Orleans' in-house repair model the key to rebuilding trust in city services?
New Orleans’ “Lights On” Program Surpasses 2,000 Repairs, Linking Improved Lighting to Significant Crime Reduction
Overview
As of May 2026, New Orleans' "Lights On" initiative has restored over 2,000 broken streetlights, driven by hiring in-house electricians and switching to aluminum wiring to reduce theft. Funded by a $2.8 million penalty from Entergy, repairs focus on high-need areas like New Orleans East and the I-10 High Rise, prioritized using crime data to improve public safety. These efforts have contributed to a 30% drop in homicides and a 25% decrease in armed robberies, though police staffing shortages remain a challenge. The city also established a coordination council to streamline work and faces a backlog of 3,000 service requests, with long-term funding still uncertain.