Lack of street lights in Horizon City has residents concerned after assault

After a woman was assaulted in Horizon City Monday night, residents are concerned their streets don’t have the proper lighting to keep them safe.

“When I go out with my children to walk, it’s the first concern you think of as a parent, that it’s very dark,” said Horizon City resident Jose Martinez.

The assault happened on the corner of Alderwood and Ashford. Horizon City Police say a man grabbed the woman from behind and put a knife to her throat. She fought him off and ran away.

“You’re concerned about your neighbors, you’re concerned about your community in general,” Martinez said.

Street lights are few in number on the street Martinez lives on, Armington Drive, which sits most of the night in shadow. Because he lives near where the assault happened, Martinez believes a well-lit street will ward off the temptation to commit crimes.

“Of course we want to protect our citizens,” said Horizon City Mayor Walter Miller

Miller explained the newer subdivisions in Horizon City meet light requirements because that’s what residents want. But older subdivisions, where many retirees live, don’t have as many street lights. Miller said that’s how some residents prefer it.

“That’s one of the charms was that it was a rural dark place,” Miller said. “and to this day we still have some residents that are reluctant to put street lights in because they like the rural aspect of where they live.”

“I don’t think it would be difficult to put up a few lights along our neighborhood,” Martinez said. “the assault happened not very far from here. And I’m very concerned for my kids and everyone else’s welfare.”

Street lights are coming to some parts of Horizon City. A $15 million bond was passed in 2013 and with it, lighting projects which are in the early stages of construction, putting the fears of residents like Martinez’s at ease.