Those who used the city’s parking garages got some good news this week when the city’s mayor and aldermen approved a measure which will lead to the installation of additional lighting at the garages.

The same resolution will also install mirrors in the garages, which will allow people to better keep up with their surroundings.

Later, the city plans to install security cameras.

The initial lighting and mirror installation, which will be handled by Total Electric LLC of Flowood, will cost $325,000. That amount is almost double what the city had budgeted for the project. However, because of its importance, city officials amended the budget to accommodate the project, which should be completed by Aug. 2.

Security at the multi-level parking garages has been a concern for some merchants downtown and those who use the garages for parking while shopping at downtown businesses.

The mayor and aldermen made the move in response to those concerns.

The lights and mirrors will add a level of comfort for shoppers, and will be a help to city police, who routinely patrol the parking garages, but obviously cannot be all places all the time.

Downtown Vicksburg is busier than it has been in many years. Stores are bustling, restaurants are full, which means traffic downtown, particularly on Washington Street, has increased. That means parking on the street is at a premium. Shoppers and tourists need to take advantage of the parking spaces available in the city’s parking garages.

Those who park in the garages should feel safe when doing so. This move by the city goes a long way toward ensuring that.