SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Residents in Pacific Beach are tired of the crime in their neighborhood. Some of them say - it's likely a lack of light that emboldens criminals.
Wednesday, those neighbors brought the issue up with at a Pacific Beach Planning Group meeting, and offered a unique solution.
"Quality of life crimes are going up."
Marcella Teran would know. She's lived here in the area for 30 years.
"We live by the Pacific Beach library, and there's so much crime over there and drug dealing," she said. "I just didn't feel safe at all."
A few houses down, up in a tree above the sidewalk, Teran's neighbor took matters into his own hands.
"They're LED, solar powered, and it's super bright," she said, pointing out the lights her neighbor put up in front of his home.
The best part is, they aren't expensive. Her neighbor purchased the lights online for less than $40, inspiring Teran to get a few of her own.
"It's made all the difference on my property because it was so dark," she said. "I've got lights all along my back wall. Lighting is the key to prevent crime."
Marcella and her neighbors took that message to the planning group meeting, hoping to spread the word and inspire more neibhbors to do the same.
"I'm really glad you're doing this story," she told 10News. "To hopefully get people to do it, I know it's something simple. I feel a lot safer when I come out at night."
Late Wednesday night the planning group unanimously passed a motion to encourage homeowners and businesses to add their own lights around properties. This will also be added to the district checklist.
