What is dark in Dallas' Oak Lawn neighborhood, will soon be seen, in a new light.
The city has put in a work order for 45 new street lights in the area surrounding the Cedar Springs entertainment district, which is squared off by Oak Lawn, Lemmon, Wycliff, and Maple Avenues.
"We're thrilled," said Michael Maldonado of the Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats. The group spent the past year trying convince city leaders neighborhood needs more street lights.
While the main drag is well lit, Maldonado's group is more concerned about side streets, like Welborn, where surveillance cameras captured a frightening robbery Tuesday night. The victim was held up at gunpoint, walking home from the nearby restaurant where he works.
According to Dallas Police crime statistics, violent crime in the neighborhood is down 29 percent, compared to this same time last year.
"I’m sure if there is any area that is red flagged, we are doing something about it," said Dallas Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell. "Rest assured of that."
The lights, Maldonado believes, will be another layer of protection.
"We want people to keep coming here and we want people to feel safe and feel they can move here and not worry about being robbed walking home from a club," said Maldonado.
Oncor will install the new street lights over the next 60 days.
