Students must not be left in the dark

The Council has proposed for street lights to be turned off during the hours of 12.30am–5.30am. Thankfully, our Guild’s loyalties lie firmly with the students, and they are rightfully making campaigning against this a priority.

It’s despicable that, despite the number of recent sexual assaults and other violent attacks (757 recorded cases from January–August 2012 alone), the Council is still pushing to plunge everyone into darkness. The times proposed are prime time for students to be outside, walking around town or on campus. If anything, students will become more of a target if this plan succeeds. At such hours, we are somewhat vulnerable as many of us have had a drink, making our reactions slower. That, coupled with the lack of light, could lead to disaster. In the darkness, you are robbed of one of your senses, which could lead to a robbing of your dignity, safety and, potentially, your life.

Undoubtedly, the reasons behind turning the lights of are economic and environmental.

Environmentally friendly or not, a lack of streetlights will jeopardise student safety

Yes, the Council will save money, but how can they dare to put a price on our lives? They are basically claiming that money and the environment are more important than the lives of the people of Exeter. Any money saved will only be spent in dealing with attacks that have occurred as a direct result. I fail to see how the supposed benefits of switching the lights off will outweigh the serious disadvantages.

Turning the lights off during these hours will give a ‘free pass’ to people to commit crimes as it will become much easier to violate the law in the darkness and attack unsuspecting people who are blinded by the darkness. Also, it will negatively affect businesses such as nightclubs and bars. Arguably, people may prioritise their safety over nights out and will refuse to be out after midnight due to the lighting issue, thus causing severe losses for the nightlife businesses who are already suffering given the rise in popularity of pre-drinking.

The negligence of the Council is astounding. They are disregarding the value of our lives and safety. If the lighting proposal goes ahead, it will simply be the beginning of the end for Exeter. It will become a city in which fear shrouds the night and no longer a safe place for revellers and students.