Some South Bay neighborhoods are about to get safer, and more high-tech, thanks to a new set of light poles.
They are called SmartPoles, and while they're in short supply now, San Jose has big plans to move these into neighborhoods all over the city. They're different than the other poles already installed around town: cleaner LED lighting cuts down on pollution, while making low-income neighborhoods safer.
"SmartPoles enable us to not just make our neighborhoods safer, also to reduce greenhouse emissions with sensitive LED lights," said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
The SmartPoles also have high-speed broadband wireless technology inside. It's part of a deal worked out between San Jose, Ericsson and Philips to bring internet access to those neighborhoods. The partnership also means no cost to San Jose or its residents.
Light, crime fighting and WiFi: San Jose, @PGE4Me and @ericsson put "Smart Poles" into place. pic.twitter.com/pO4spmYDTM
— scott budman (@scottbudman) December 7, 2015More of the SmartPoles will be installed around town in the months to come.
