Street lights in Pease Township in Belmont County have been shut off as a way to save money, but residents think it will only make things in the community worse.


The lights were shut off Monday and it didn't take long before concerns started to grow.


"I understand that they are upset because the levy didn't get passed, but what they are not understanding is the amount of danger they are putting us in," said Wolfhurst resident Mary Rush.


All 167 street lights were shut off across the township, which includes Blaine, Lansing and several other small communities.


Township Trustee George Becca said a failed levy from last year left the township with no other option.


"If all the other townships have money enough to have street lights on, I don't understand why we don't when we are all facing the same problems," Blaine resident Evelyn Sommer said.


Becca explained that it costs the township $24,000 each year to keep the lights on when they only have $20,000 total to spend. He said they lost nearly $50,000 in revenue over the past six years.


Residents told NEWS9 they have several concerns if the lights stay out.


"I live right at the bottom of Blaine Hill and that area has wrecks all the time and it is really dark there. That corner is a really bad corner to start with and then with no light there, it's really dangerous," Sommer said.


"Two months ago, we had a rash of car break-ins, you know, with the street lights on," Rush added.


Becca told NEWS9 that he and the other trustees are going to try and find funding from grants or perhaps another levy later on in the year.


Becca added that residents can call AEP to if they wish to pay for a light to be turned on near their homes. Some said they're afraid they just can't afford it.