Palatka police present Viking Manor traffic study; residents press for speed tables

Assistant Chief Nichols presented results of a traffic study for the Viking Manor neighborhood to the City of Palatka City Commission on Oct. 9, 2025, reporting that police made limited enforcement contacts and that automated counts showed most vehicles traveling 24–30 mph. The study followed two resident complaints about speeding and through traffic and included marked and unmarked enforcement details, a 24‑hour traffic counter and data from the vendor UrbanSKD.

The study counted 745 vehicles during enforcement operations and recorded seven stop‑sign violations and two speeding violations during those enforcement details, Nichols said. He told the commission that “the vehicles that were traveling up and down the roadway [averaged] 25 to 30 miles an hour,” and that UrbanSKD data showed 95% of August traffic on Viking Street at 24 mph or less with a single outlier of 47 mph.

The police also performed door‑to‑door outreach and collected a written petition; 87.5% of respondents who participated said they wanted speed bumps or speed tables installed. Nichols said that at an Oct. 1 neighborhood meeting attendees continued to request speed tables despite the study’s conclusion that traffic calming was not strictly supported by the counts.

Police recommended a set of near‑term signs and continued enforcement: install three signs at the neighborhood entry points, replace faded speed‑limit signs, add “children at play” signs at two locations and install a “no outlet” sign at Viking Street and First Manor. Nichols recommended ongoing periodic enforcement and monitoring and sought direction from the commission on the neighborhood’s request for physical traffic calming.

Commissioners responded that resident requests should weigh heavily in the decision. “I think it’s important that we take in consideration what the neighborhood is requesting,” Commissioner Campbell said. Commissioner Davis said he is “in favor and a proponent of supporting the neighborhood getting the speed tables.” Several commissioners praised the police for going door to door and soliciting resident input.

Staff recommended installing three speed tables on Viking Street if the commission directs it: one between Third and Fourth Manor, one between Fourth and Fifth Manor and one between Fifth and Sixth Manor. Nichols said cost estimates were not available the night of the meeting and would be provided at a future meeting.

The commission gave direction for staff to return with pricing and cost estimates and to proceed with the recommended signage and periodic enforcement; no formal ordinance or expenditure was approved that evening. “So in summary, the direction is to get those costs and bring them back to us at the next meeting so we can make a final decision,” Mayor Carrera said.