What Is That Thing? The Green Lights At The Police Station

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Those who live in the Northeast U.S. have probably noticed that police stations are often bathed in green lights — it turns out the tradition that started in New Amsterdam goes back centuries.

Thanks to the New Rochelle Police Department and a recent social media discussion about their iconic green lights at NRPD headquarters, we are learning a little bit more about the fascinating reason why.

The tradition of green lights at police stations harkens back to a time when New York City was still called New Amsterdam and the "Rattle Watchman" patrolled the lanes, according to research from the University of Texas at El Paso Police Department. The Watchmen carried green lanterns to help identify themselves. At the end of watch, the lanterns would be hung outside the watchhouse.

In the Northeast especially, green lights substitute for the green lanterns of old as a way of honoring those who went before and as a symbol that the "watch" continues to this day.

The New Rochelle green glow is an easily recognizable part of the cityscape, but other examples can be found at police stations across the Hudson Valley. Which is your favorite "greenlit" police station? Let us know in the comments below.

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