Light up, residents plead

By Alison Noonan
RESIDENTS in a Hampton Park street say they are tired of being left in the dark by Casey council.
They claim Lauren Drive has become a hot spot for crime due to a lack of street lights along the family-filled road.
Concerned home-owners have called for the urgent installation of more lights after a recent spate of night-time burglaries.
Robert Travaglini said just one set of street lights at the end of Lauren Drive left residents shrouded in darkness as soon as the sun went down, forcing kids indoors and making vision difficult for motorists.
“Many houses have already been broken into as there are no street lights in the middle of the road,” he said.
“It is so dark at night that it is dangerous for both kids and adults and great for burglaries waiting to happen.
“We all look out for each other’s houses but it is hard to see who’s out there in the dark.
“It is also difficult during the holiday season when many families go away and the houses are unattended for a long period of time.”
Mr Travaglini’s wife Rose said many parents would not allow their kids to play outside in the evening because of the lack of street lights.
“It is a safety issue. The street is full of young kids but it is just too risky for them to play outside at night because you can’t see them.
“Cars drive up our street so fast that it makes you paranoid. I will only let my kids outside until a certain time.
“And that is hard for them during holidays and daylight saving when they want to stay outside with their friends,” she said.
Mr Travaglini said he would like council to install street lights to cover at least eight houses.
“It would liven the place up and allow us to see what’s going on,” he said.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said council officers had investigated the issue and a report was due to come back to the next council meeting. “The report will outline what action, if any, will be taken to address the issue.
“To have a street without lights is just crazy,” he said.