Streetlights are out all over Harrisburg at a time when violent crime has flared up and the city can least afford to harbor dark streets and alleys.

To help the cash-strapped city deal with the problem, Harrisburg gentlemen’s club Savannah’s on Hanna is paying $1,320 to cover the cost of replacing six burned out streetlights.

One is in front of the club, but five of the lights are in Allison Hill, one of the city’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods.

Savannah’s hopes its efforts encourages other businesses and individuals to step up and do the same, said Jonas Hair, who manages the South Harrisburg business.

Generally, the city’s business community is willing to help for the greater good, but businesses want to see Harrisburg officials implement a financial recovery plan aimed at averting these types of problems, said David Black, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber.

Hair said he believes businesses and individuals should give back to their community if they are able.

“Fortunately, we have security covering our premises. And it’s still a big deal when one light goes out for us, let alone one or more in a high-crime area,” he said. “Anybody making money in Harrisburg should give back. This is our home city.”

Most Harrisburg businesses don’t expect to be repaid for anything they give to the city, but they do want to see Harrisburg officials work together toward a common goal, and that’s getting the city back on secure financial footing, Black said.

“I think there would clearly be a willingness of the business community to participate if we saw positive movement,” he said. “The businesses of the city want a vibrant city to do business in. They are a vital part of the revenue of this city. Dating to 2008, there has been no attempt to solve the problem.”

Garnering extra support through direct donations from the business sector is critical as Harrisburg deals with its fiscal crisis, said Robert Philbin, spokesman for Mayor Linda Thompson.

“City departments are currently providing public services under tight budgets and with short staffing. When a private entity steps up with a targeted donation, it recognizes the hard work of our public employees and supports their efforts,” Philbin said. “It focuses public works planning on that particular area of the city and augments, in this case, the streetlight budget. All of this helps accelerate the street light maintenance program already in place.”

Savannah’s efforts build upon those of the Historic Harrisburg Association’s Lighten Up Harrisburg initiative, which raises money to replace darkened streetlights throughout the capital city.

The effort was launched this year to replace decorative lights that illuminate the historic Walnut Street Bridge, a walking bridge spanning the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg to City Island.

After raising $4,700 to replace the bridge lights, Lighten Up Harrisburg continued its fundraising efforts and recently spent $1,700 to buy replacement bulbs that will be installed in streetlights along Market Street in Allison Hill.

In late July, the city and PPL also repaired long stretches of street lights that were out along Front Street. Those lights went out after a line was knocked off a power box and a fuse blew underground, according to the mayor’s office.

Harrisburg’s financial crisis stems from a botched retrofit of its incinerator, which has buried the city in more than $326 million of debt.

Debt continues to build on the trash burner as city and state officials fight over initiatives included in the state-sponsored fiscal recovery plan for Harrisburg.

When city leaders couldn’t agree on a financial plan last year, to address the debt and balance its budget, the state stepped in and took over Harrisburg’s fiscal recovery process.

Savannah’s realizes there are political problems in the city, but that isn’t how the South Harrisburg business is looking at the situation; it just wants to help its home city, Hair said.

“We are aware of the financial crisis. But that’s what a community is about. When the community is in need, you help it,” Hair said. “We are encouraging any business and individuals that are capable and have the means to step up and make a donation. Select a block and help maintain it.”

HOW TO HELP: