More Protection for Weeks Bridge

Last week the Metropolitan District Commission constructed and put into operation three high-power electric lights along the banks of the Charles River between the Weeks Bridge and the Weld Boathouse. But the most dangerous part of the riverbank remains under-lit and inadequately patrolled.

Apparently the MDC would like to place similar lights along both banks of the river basin. If the MDC does succeed in lighting up the basin the obvious effect would be to deter crime--all sorts of crime--along the riverbank.

But the new lights illuminate only the touch football fields in front of the Houses and leave the Weeks Bridge-Storrow Drive Overpass area in near darkness.

Some time ago the University asked the MDC to put more spotlights on the existing light-posts at the ends of the bridge and the overpass. But the new lamps have been installed.

The University should not be pacified by the MDC's intention of eventually lighting up the entire riverbank. More spotlights could easily be attached to the existing poles, while it will take some time for the MDC to erect new poles on both sides of the river. And if none of the new poles are closer to the bridge than the ones constructed last week, the MDC's plan will do little to make the Weeks Bridge any safer.

More thought should also be given to increasing the role of the Harvard police at the bridge. The MDC police the bridge as often and as well as they are able but cannot spare a man to remain at the bridge all night. Transferring the bridge, its overpasses, and their approaches to the University police would enable them to increase their coverage and perhaps station a man right on the bridge. While this idea has been apparently rejected by Harvard, it ought to be reconsidered if Weeks Bridge is to be made safe.