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Searchlights and Light Pollution

One of the prime targets of dark sky advocates is the use of advertising searchlights, which are often demonized as the worst form of "light pollution."

Searchlights have been used for advertising since 1893. They continue to be popular because they do the job they are designed to do: they attract attention and make it easy for the customer to find a place of business. Searchlights are especially effective for entertainment businesses, places that draw one-time visitors, and companies promoting special events. Visitors appreciate an easy way to find what they seek, and business owners obviously want to draw customers. Increased business provides jobs and generates tax revenues for governments.

And searchlights have other uses, as well. Police and volunteers use searchlights to search for lost and missing children and adults; police also use searchlights to track down criminals.

In his address to the nation after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Bush said

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

On the following evening, searchlight operators around the country turned on their searchlights as symbols of America, the bright beacon of freedom. Citizens joined in with candles and flashlights to show their support.

Searchlights have been used frequently since as positive symbols of hope and tributes to the victims of September 11. An article on CNN.com details the use of 44 searchlights on the six-month anniversary of the terrorist attack.

Eliminating searchlights would not return an urban setting to a rural one. Bright lights are part of urban life that will not go away, and searchlights are generally used on a temporary basis. Merchants would not use searchlights or bright lights on buildings if customers generally preferred the dark. Smart businesspeople make decisions based on desired results, and searchlights will continue to be used in advertising promotions as long as customers continue to respond to them.

As a society, we have to make choices and set priorities. Few people would choose a night sky over the safety and convenience of bright lights—streetlights, interior building lights, outside security lights, and, yes, even advertising searchlights. Businesses spend their advertising dollars carefully, and the searchlight industry would not be growing if searchlights weren’t effective.

The night sky is certainly not endangered because of searchlights. There are about 20,000 airports in this country with beacons operating every night of the year. There are probably fewer than 500 advertising searchlights in the US; these usually operate on a temporary basis, often on weekends. The impact of advertising searchlights is negligible compared to the impact of airport beacons.

Those who advocate for the elimination of searchlights seek a permanent solution to "light pollution" by banning lights that are used only a temporary basis.

There will continue to be a demand for searchlight advertising, and there will continue to be people who complain about them. However, in most cases, the discomfort of those who don't like searchlights will be temporary, and far more people will benefit than not.