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Sheriff urges stop sign and stepped-up enforcement on East Center Street near elementary school
Summary
Huntington’s sheriff told the council deputies observed persistent speeding on East Center Street and recommended adding a stop sign (possible 4-way at 300 East), stepped-up patrols and an education period; council directed staff to survey neighbors and pursue signage following state rules.
Sheriff Huntington told the Huntington City Council on June 18 that deputies have observed vehicles traveling above the posted limit on East Center Street, the main collector road east of Main Street that passes by the elementary school. “There is only one stop sign on that entire street once you get east of Main Street,” he said, and that layout contributes to higher speeds near a location where children are present.
The sheriff recommended placing a stop sign on East Center Street — possibly a 4-way at 300 East — and offered to help the city with outreach and an enforcement plan. “If the council decided to do something like that, I would be as much help as I could be,” he said, adding that the sheriff’s office would first emphasize education before issuing citations.
City staff noted the state’s uniform code for street signs requires public notice about proposed sign locations and that signage must be sized and placed for visibility. Councilmembers asked that pavement markings and a “stop ahead” message be included when striping occurs so drivers have advance warning.
The sheriff also said the office applied for a portable speed-monitoring device through a Highway Safety grant but did not qualify because Huntington’s small population made the city ineligible; he said staff will pursue other options for traffic monitoring. Council directed staff to send a survey to neighbors explaining any proposed change, to order signs if the survey supports the change, and to coordinate timing for public education and enforcement.
No formal ordinance or vote on specific sign locations occurred at the meeting; council members asked staff to return with the neighborhood survey results and proposed sign placements for future action.
