Backing fades on plan to change street lights
47% of San Diegans polled don't favor brighter lamps
by Ray Huard, San Diego Union-Tribune
26 July 2001
(Abstract from public website of San Diego Union-Tribune)

The city since 1994 has been gradually replacing the yellowish lights with whiter lights south of Interstate 8 along all streets in high crime communities and along streets with heavy traffic.

[Ralph Inzunza]), in a suggestion supported by the council committee, would replace the yellowish lights with the decorative acorn lights, which are the bane of astronomers because they have no shielding and direct more of their light toward the sky than other street light fixtures.

A majority of San Diegans aren't convinced of the need to switch from yellowish low-pressure sodium street lights to whiter lights, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune poll.  Some City Council members think the brighter light will discourage crime.  The local scientists say it will inhibit their telescopic view of the stars.

[Complete article for purchase at the San Diego Union-Tribune]