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Sheriff recommends stop sign, stepped enforcement for East Center Street; council to survey neighbors
Summary
Emery County Sheriff Huntington told the Huntington City Council he observed speeding on East Center Street and recommended the city add stop signage (likely at Third East) and survey neighbors; he also asked for targeted enforcement of handicap parking near the school for the start of the school year.
HUNTINGTON, Utah — Emery County Sheriff Huntington told the Huntington City Council on June 18 that deputies have observed speeding on East Center Street and recommended the city consider placing a stop sign to slow traffic and improve safety near the elementary school.
"I would recommend to the city council and the mayor the possibility of a stop sign on East Center Street somewhere, Third East," Sheriff Huntington said, describing on-site observations and noting the street currently has only one stop sign east of Main Street. He told councilors the city must comply with the state's uniform sign code when installing stop signs and should advertise proposed sign placements to the public before installation.
Sheriff Huntington described a cautious approach to enforcement after new signage is installed: "I don't feel like it would be one of those things where we would just start slamming tickets right off the bat. We would work with the city to use our own Facebook and social media to talk about this stop sign...and then start to crack down." He offered to help the city with community outreach and education.
The sheriff also raised two enforcement-related items: a request for additional enforcement of handicap-parking spaces near the elementary school for the first month or two of the school year to ensure reserved spaces remain available for students who need them, and an update on a portable speed-measuring trailer grant. "We don't have one. We put in for a grant with Highway Safety to get one of those, and they told us we don't qualify," he said, adding the department will explore other options.
Council members asked about the process for installing stop signs; the sheriff summarized the steps: advertise locations to neighboring property owners, order compliant signage, and install pre-warning road markings ("stop ahead") during striping work.
The council directed staff to prepare a neighbor survey informing residents about the proposed sign placement and to return with the survey results and recommended location. Several councilors and the sheriff emphasized education and a phased enforcement approach if new signage is installed.
No formal ordinance change or binding resolution was made at the meeting; the item was discussed as guidance and a recommended next step.
