City Council members and residents on Monday focused on traffic safety across the city — including proposed stop‑sign monitoring cameras, a speed‑bump pilot program and immediate pothole repairs on Hays Street.

The most urgent item, council members said, is child and pedestrian safety at intersections where drivers frequently run stop signs. Councilman Herring and others discussed a pilot camera program intended to document stop-sign violations; the devices are portable and, council members said, the vendor indicated the program would not cost the city.

Councilman Herring described the cameras as a response to data showing widespread noncompliance at school crossings and neighborhood intersections. “Once word got out there that a camera was out at the stop sign, everybody stopped at the stop sign,” he said, citing results from a pilot near Sylvania Woods.

Several residents urged the council to deploy low-cost, near-term measures first. Longtime resident Alita Hunter asked for flashing lights and visible officer presence before a broader camera rollout: “Can we even go to the flashing lights first to see if that’s gonna help?” Hunter said. Sandra Robinson, a homeowner on Tyrell Drive, said her street “starts to look more like an industrial park” without sidewalks and with work vehicles parked along the curb, and she described near misses while walking without sidewalks.

Speed bumps: Councilmembers and staff said a feasibility study by the city engineer is complete and that the list of recommended locations has been circulated to council. City Manager Mr. Simpson said the study maps candidate locations and staff will work with council to confirm placement. Vice President Ferguson and Councilman Herring said the council approved funding for a pilot in past budgets and urged faster implementation.

Hays Street repairs: City Manager Simpson reported that a resolution to repair Hays Street’s three major potholes is in hand and that contractors are scheduled; he estimated work would begin within one to two weeks after the resolution is processed.

Police staffing and enforcement: Police Chief Bryant described current staffing and emphasized that proactive traffic enforcement is constrained by limited personnel. “We’re 15 officers on the street. We’re slotted for 22… We’re down by 3 officers and 1 sergeant,” Bryant said, adding that officers are working overtime and mandatory training reduces field coverage. Bryant said the department conducts large numbers of traffic stops and supports measures such as cameras and license-plate readers as tools to improve public safety.

Code enforcement and 'cones': Code enforcement officer Tamika Jones said her team is patrolling and removing cones drivers place in public rights-of-way and is issuing notice tags where ownership is identifiable. “If you see them out there, please give us a call. Let us know, and we’ll take care of it,” Jones said.

Ending: Council members asked staff to finalize a schedule for speed‑bump installation, to move forward with the Hays Street patching, and to present an implementation plan for stop‑sign monitoring that coordinates cameras, possible flashing lights and police presence.