Similar Situation Electrocuted Two Teens In Florida
Is This How We "Light Up
Lockport?"It's the season that downtown Lockport likes to boast about. Christmas decorations are up, many lighted in holiday colors --- an effort of the "Light Up Lockport" committee.
But what about our street lights? Are they lit up, too? Well, not all of them. Some of the ornamental historic-looking multiple light poles as seen in the foreground of this picture are dark.
And why is this? Is someone not changing the light bulbs when they burn out? Could be. We've noticed some poles have one or two of the light quartet lit, the others dark. The one in the picture, and another further up Main toward Locust, are completely dark.
Are all the bulbs burned out? We don't know. But we do know here in Lockport we have a new Commissioner of Public Works who reportedly has a strong background in electric power generation (as opposed to municipal civil engineering).
Perhaps he can get down on Main Street and get these lovely lamp poles lit again. Bulbs or wiring. He should be able to figure it out. And while city VIPs point fingers as to who is responsible for "Lights Out" on Main Street take a look at the close-up of the base of the pole (below)
It's exposed to the elements and children...just waiting for something to "happen." You don't have to be an engineer to realize this installation isn't "up to code!"
Confidential To The Commissioner Of Public Works: This situation is bad for Lockport's image and sets a bad example of electrical safety. If these wires are "live" they could electrocute some child (notice proximity to wetness)! Let's get someone to fix this situation immediately. If there is too much finger-pointing, just go down and do it yourself. Let's not get into the blame transfer mode!
11-27-00
Update 12-12-00: Similiar situation (to above) in Florida kills two teens. Two boys, ages 14 and 16 were found lying in a puddle of water next to a light pole Sunday night, 12/10 according to a report on ABC News. The boys had been electrocuted by a defectively wired lighting connection. The wiring had been compromised to the extent that the metal pole had a charge on it and when the two boys touched the pole after crossing the street they were zapped death. Left over rain water was at the base of the pole according to authorities in the Miami suburb of Sweetwater.
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THE PICTURE OF LOCKPORT