As a resident of Sussex County, I feel compelled to speak out about a public safety issue that affects all of us: the dangerous lack of proper street lighting along Route 206 and throughout many of our neighborhoods.
This is more than an inconvenience. It is a growing risk to commuters, pedestrians and to the families raising children in these townships.
Our roads become treacherous once the sun sets. With long stretches of darkness and poor visibility, drivers are forced to navigate blind turns, hidden driveways and - perhaps most dangerously - deer and other wildlife that frequently cross the roads.
These aren’t hypothetical risks. Many of us have experienced near-misses or collisions due to the inability to see in time. It’s only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs if one hasn’t already.
Meanwhile, drive just 15 to 20 minutes into Morris or Passaic County and you’ll see the difference immediately: well-lit roads, illuminated intersections and safer residential areas. The contrast is stark - and frankly unacceptable.
Why should Sussex County residents, who pay among the highest property taxes in the state, settle for less than the bare minimum when it comes to public safety?
What’s most frustrating is that there are simple, modern, cost-effective solutions readily available. Solar-powered LED streetlights, for example, require no connection to the power grid. They are low-maintenance, energy-efficient and perfect for rural areas like ours.
Other municipalities across the country - and right here in New Jersey - have adopted these technologies successfully. Why not us?
This is not a matter of politics or budgets. It’s a matter of priorities. Safe roads, especially in a community where children wait for school buses in the dark and parents drive home from work on pitch-black highways, should be non-negotiable.
I urge our county and township officials to stop overlooking this glaring problem. Let’s stop pretending that darkness is just part of rural life. We deserve better. Our children deserve better. Let’s light up Sussex County - before we’re left in the dark one time too many.
Rafa Stump
Green Township