Sophomores Tadeusz Mich and Nicky Kandola, and senior Dania Rivas, directed the DECA project “Lights on, Crime Off.”

After Kandola mentioned that her neighborhood was poorly lit and that she felt unsafe while traveling on foot, a discussion sparked on how other DECA members felt about the lighting in their own neighborhoods.

The purpose of this project was to determine the relationship between having bright street and porch lights in the neighborhood, and the frequency of criminal acts. DECA began the project by conducting research surveys regarding the community’s perspective on outdoor lighting and its connection with crime. Their conclusions were derived from the 109 responses received in 25 days.

“We did this project in order to represent South Lakes DECA,” Kandola said. “This project is our chapter project, which will represent all 107 DECA members as well as South Lakes High School.”

As a result of their research, DECA arrived at several conclusions. They found that there is a need for community promotion of leaving lights on for community safety and to educate the public that alternative cost efficient light bulbs are available to save money on outside lighting.

“I learned that the simple task of putting your porch lights can make a huge difference not only by lighting up the area around your home, but also by preventing crime to occur,” Kandola said.