'Nothing's been done': Residents frustrated over streetlight blackout backlog - WISN Milwaukee

'Nothing's been done': Residents frustrated over streetlight blackout backlog

Milwaukee DPW said recent weather, freeze and thaw cycle, caused 50+ circuit outages

A WISN 12 News investigation found more Milwaukee streetlights in a blackout. The city said they are facing a backlog of complaints.

It's not just one part of the city that has the problem. WISN 12 News heard from people on the north side and south side, all with similar complaints.

"It concerns me," said Linda Shackleford at 41st and Glendale.

Shackleford said her streetlights are off for weeks at a time.

"These lights over here have been going out a couple weeks out of the month for over a year," said Shackleford.

Carol Hackbarth, at 67th and Tripoli, said her street experiences the same malfunction.

"It's total pitch black and seeing you can't see anything," said Hackbarth.

Tony Frank also shares the frustration.

"We've called the city numerous times for lights being out four or five nights in a row. We've put complaints in online and nothing's been done," said Frank.

The Department of Public Works declined a WISN 12 News interview request on Thursday. A spokesperson directed us to the department's statement from Wednesday on what it called an outage backlog of about 50 circuit outages on older street lighting circuits across Milwaukee.

The statement reads, "Recent weather events and the freeze/thaw cycle have created a backlog of about 50 circuit outages on older street lighting circuits across the city. Crews address outages in the order that they are reported to the City. DPW is aware of the outage in this area, and crews are working diligently to make repairs. To report an outage, call 286-CITY / 286-2489."

A map on the city's website shows people reported dozens of dark streetlights just this month.

"We've lived here almost 30 years in the house and it's the last, I'd say, five years. It's been a continuous problem, at least yearly, if not a couple times a year," said Hackbarth.

Hackbarth said she feels left in the dark by both her street light and the city.

"When I called, I get a confirmation number and the person on the other end says, I'm sorry, we'll get somebody out there as soon as we can," said Hackbarth, "and nobody has responded back. The latest was the other day when I called, and of course, it was still out last night."

The frustration also comes from a streetlight fee approved in Milwaukee's 2021 city budget. The Common Council approved charging $1 per linear foot of a property line. The average homeowner pays about $40 a year.

"There's an extra charge on our tax bill for street lights or property lights like that," said Hackbarth. "And it's been off now for like a week at this time."

Milwaukee residents can report a street light outage on the city's website, or by calling 286-CITY.