This is a summary of research conducted in January By Ivins resident Kathy Barth based on FBI and Utah BCI statistics, which was a recommendation by Police Captain Rogers. The data source combines Ivins and Santa Clara. St George data is presented for comparison (see note at bottom).
The Planning Commission appears to assume that more lighting and whiter lighting (higher color temperatures) reduces crime and increases safety. Based on that assumption, St George should have lower per capita crime rates because they likely have more lighting and certainly have higher color temperature lighting than the Ivins streetlights and bollards.
That is not the case. Santa Clara/Ivins has significantly less crime, even adjusting for population. The statistics do not support the assumption that more and/or whiter lighting increases safety.
Captain Rogers ran a report of the times of calls. It groups “I’ve fallen and can’t get up” calls with “I’ve just been robbed” calls and “My home/equipment have been damaged” calls. Crime data alone wasn’t available.
The graph shows twice as many incidents during daylight compared to after dark. This also does not support the assumption that more and/or whiter lighting increases safety.
What’s the real issue?
Recent public comments expressed a desire for more lighting, so Kathy drove around the city. Some city streets appear to have fewer streetlights than others. So, the real issue may not be as simple as just more and whiter, but where.
A review of street lighting placement in the city would determine if there are areas where more streetlights and/or bollards may be appropriate and desired by the residents in those locations.
Notes: Additional information available: Data by type of crime; Incidents by hour and by day of week. Captain Rogers said it would take months to gather/collate that data for Ivins only.