Message Regarding JCP&L Streetlights Lakewood Township does not own most of the lights which line our streets. It is important to have functioning lights for the safety of our neighborhoods. JCP&L, the electric utility responsible for street lighting service, is regulated by the State Board of Public Utilities (BPU).
Residents should be reporting streetlight outages directly to JCP&L. They have advised us that, since January, they have repaired 350 lights in Lakewood, and like many industries, they have experienced supply chain challenges. JCP&L also informed us that they are investigating quality issues that have resulted in an increased frequency of streetlight outages. To assist with our efforts, we are asking residents to report street light issues on JCP&L’s website using the either the location of the streetlight(s) or the “Pole #” found on a metal band affixed to the pole using this link.
You can also report outages via phone by calling 1-888 LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) choose, main menu and state “report streetlight outage.”
Once reported, JCP&L will generate a confirmation and a work order number for your request. If, after ten workdays, the light has not been repaired, please forward the JCP&L confirmation/work order number to streetlights@lakewoodnj.gov with “Street Light” in the subject line so we can keep track of the work orders and try to hold JCP&L accountable.
While we don’t control the operations of JCP&L, we will do our best to get these lights repaired. You, the taxpayer, pay for these lights as governed by the Tariff. It is our intention that if the lights are not repaired in a timely manner, payment will be withheld.
It’s a big Mitzvah to report streetlights and improve public safety, as can be attested in Yerushalmi Sheviis 3, 7: Rabbi Shimon Ben Lakish said, Shaul Hamelech merited the kingship only because his grandfather lit lights for the public (in dark alleyways).
The Tariff specifies in three sections that JCP&L shall repair the lights within 72 hours which is 3 days.
It does not say business or working days.
Residents can’t stand in a roadway at night to obtain light pole numbers.
The police should be the ones reporting to pole numbers. There are enough police and other Township employees that can and should be doing the reporting, IT IS A “SAFETY-ISSUE”.
I counted over 250 lights that are out longer than 15 days.
I was in touch with the NJ BPU the ones that write the tarriffs.
They suggested we file complaints with them if lights are not repaired in 72 hours, let alone in 60 days.
Thanks,
Yehuda Shain
They make it difficult to report outages.
There is no reason that the default should be that you are required to login to your JCP&L account to report a streetlight being out.
There is also no reason to ask for your account number when trying to report a light that is out or malfunctioning by phone.
Why is it requiring me to log in to report an outage?
The Township will wake up after there are tragedies attributed to lights not functioning?
If I don’t have a JCP&L account, I can’t report an outage?
A pole number or a location should be sufficient, not both-i.e. the south west corner light, etc.
JCP&L receives about $9.00 @ month for each light, The Township must deduct from their payments for every light that is not repaired timely.