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Residents urge Canton council to address policing, CPS, and unsafe speed tables
Summary
Multiple residents criticized local policing and CPS practices, raised safety concerns about new speed tables on Monument Road, and reported unresolved neighborhood maintenance problems; the mayor and public-safety staff promised to address speed‑table visibility as soon as weather allows.
Several Canton residents used the public‑comment period to press the City Council on policing and child‑welfare practices, neighborhood maintenance and traffic safety.
Kimberly Bell (1733 Morris Avenue) told council she was distributing a flyer she described as "scandalous," saying it contains confusing or false endorsements and that "Bill Smucker has brought shame to this building." She urged council members to publicly withdraw any endorsements tied to the material to avoid voter confusion. The council did not take immediate action on that request during the meeting.
Shelley Harper (11th Street NW) said two speed tables on Monument Road are not sufficiently visible and are dangerously close together. She said at 15 mph she already felt them and that in wet conditions they could cause a crash; she recommended painting the tables a contrasting color, better signage or flashing alerts. The mayor and safety/traffic staff answered that the department plans to paint the speed tables "as soon as the weather breaks" and that flashing signs and advance warning signs are in place; staff said activation and permanent markings were delayed by winter weather.
Several other residents raised broader public‑safety and neighborhood concerns: Roger Gates urged the council to elevate residents' navigation of CPS, adult protective services and the courts to county authorities when appropriate; Daniel Gates complained about behavior and enforcement around residential care homes and about local road maintenance; Joshua Brown said he had documents alleging court and CPS problems and said he would provide copies to the clerk next week. Justin Nicely delivered a confrontational critique of council priorities, citing crime, homelessness and distrust of law enforcement; he was interrupted for violating decorum after using profanity.
Council members and the mayor acknowledged the complaints. On the speed tables, the safety director said crews will paint and otherwise mark the installations when weather permits and confirmed flashing signs are present. On constituent service issues (trees, alleys, and private property concerns), the council asked residents to provide addresses so staff can follow up.
The public‑comment segment closed without formal action on the policy criticisms raised; residents were told to provide documentation or addresses for staff follow‑up.
