After a rash of summer home burglaries in Lawrence, Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson Tuesday announced a new program — called “Lock ‘n’ Light” — to help Lawrence residents ward off would-be thieves.

County residents can pick up two free compact flourescent light bulbs at several area locations, such as the district attorney’s office and the Lawrence, Baldwin City and Eudora public libraries. Branson said the idea is for residents to use the free bulbs to help keep porch lights or other lighting on overnight.

That’s one of the simplest and cheapest ways to deter burglars, Branson said.

The “lock” portion of the program is to encourage residents to lock all doors. Branson said that in many of the recent burglaries, entry has been made through unlocked doors.

“We need to lock and we need to light,” Branson said.

The light bulbs were provided at cost by Home Depot, and the District Attorney’s Office used forfeited assets from drug cases to purchase the 1,000 bulbs. The bulbs will be available until they run out, Branson said.