Neighbors,

Lighting is one of the best deterants of crime. Please turn you porch lights on and leave them on all night. If you notice a neighbors light is not on, please go over, tell them what's been happening and request they them turn on their lights!

Please report any city street lights that are out by calling the Mayor's 24 Hour Hotline at 617-635-4500.

If you give them your email address they will send you a confirmation and tracking number - very cool. I called last night when I discovered a light out on Chestnut. Here is what they sent me:

"Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting the Mayor's Hotline. Your service request, opened on 9/23/09 at 11:45 PM, is case number 101000081727.

If you have any questions about the case, please contact the Mayor's Hotline at (617) 635-4500. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions or handle any City service issues you may have.

You can also track the status of your request online by going to the following site: http://www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/24
Just enter the case number and the email you used to submit this request.

Sincerely,

Mayor's Hotline Staff"