Flagstaff is known for its commitment to the dark skies.
courtesy
ASH LOHMANN special for the daily sun
One of the special things about Flagstaff is its glowing night landscape, accessible by the city’s dark sky ordinances. With April being the month of sexual assault awareness, some local residents wonder if the lack of lighting at night can compromise safety.
According to the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, Flagstaff became the world’s first international dark sky city in 2001. By implementing strategic lighting solutions, the city paved the way for famous epic stargazing.
Sharlane Herrem, an officer with the Northern Arizona University Police Department, said that while Flagstaff is classified as a city with dark skies, it is not necessarily a dark city on the sidewalk, as many parts of the city that are frequently traveled are well-lit. Herre explained that darkness can make dark sky cities feel less safe, but there is no significant difference in safety between regular cities and dark sky cities.
“In both cities you will have crimes, and in both cities you will have people who are careful and who are not,” said Herre.
Savanah DeHart, who lives in Flagstaff, said what is often scary about the city’s dark skies is not the darkness itself, but what or who might be hiding in it. She stated that women are constantly being reminded of the threat of sexual assault and other dangerous situations.
Comments are closed.