FPL to replace down street light after man turns to WINK Listens for help

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A Lee County resident turned to WINK Listens after a downed light pole near his neighborhood remained unfixed for two years.

Vincent O'Connor, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, didn't know who to call about the safety hazard along Summerlin Road near the intersection of Lakewood Boulevard. 

The pole has been lying on the ground since a vehicle struck it.

"Somebody hit that, and it was boom, laying down," O'Connor said.

The downed pole sits just off a multi-use trail regularly used by walkers, runners, and bikers. O'Connor worried someone could trip over it.

"It's got to be two years, and I just felt that a number one is a bit of a hazard, because there's a multi-use trail there, and it's just off the trail, and anybody that didn't see it could bump into this thing and go flying," he said.

O'Connor also expressed concern for drivers traveling along Summerlin Road at night. Without the working streetlight, the intersection becomes harder to see, which could lead to an accident.

"From Cypress Lake to Gladiolus is very dark," he said. 

The pole is marked as belonging to Florida Power and Light. WINK News reached out to the utility company to see what could be done.

A spokesperson issued a statement confirming that the company is aware of the downed streetlight and apologizing for the inconvenience. FPL crews will remove the damaged equipment and replace it with a new streetlight within the next two weeks.

The statement also noted the streetlight is not energized, but urged residents to stay far away from any damaged electrical equipment. The company thanked customers for their patience as it worked to resolve the issue.

O'Connor was relieved to hear the problem would finally be addressed.

"We'd like it to look good, and this is not a good look, having this light pole lying there with weeds growing up all along, and over," he said.