How to Report Broken Street Lights Near You
A broken street light is one of the simplest civic issues to fix — and one of the most impactful. Dark streets correlate with higher accident and crime rates. Reporting a broken light takes under a minute and can make your whole block safer.
Tips for reporting
If possible, photograph the broken light during the day so the pole and fixture are visible. If you're reporting at night, a photo of the dark stretch of road is equally useful — it shows the safety impact. Include the pole number if one is visible.
Cluster reporting
Broken lights often come in clusters — an entire circuit may be down. Walk the block and report each one. On OpenStreetProblem, clustered reports on the live map make it obvious that a whole section needs attention, not just one bulb.
Track the repair
Once reported, you can track when the light gets fixed. If it goes dark again, reopen the issue — recurring failures suggest a wiring or infrastructure problem, not just a burned-out bulb.
Report a broken light — find issues near you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a broken street light?
Photograph the light (or the dark patch it creates), submit a report on OpenStreetProblem, and the AI will classify it as a broken light issue with the exact location pinned.
Why should I report a broken street light instead of calling the council?
Reporting on OpenStreetProblem creates a public, trackable record that neighbours can upvote. Council phone lines create a private ticket with no community visibility or accountability.
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