Residents urge enforcement as drivers speed off S‑Bridge onto Church Street

Several town residents told the Town of Hertford Council on Nov. 14 that excessive speeds where the S‑bridge meets Church Street pose a safety risk to pedestrians and neighborhood residents.

Mark Christian told council he is concerned about crime generally in town and said it is "unfortunate that the police department disbanded," linking public‑safety worries to broader enforcement capacity. Resident Sara Winslow said vehicles exit the S‑bridge at high speeds onto a residential section of Church Street, that the 15 MPH curve sign is hard to see, and that there are no speed limit signs between Newby Street and Grubb Street. Winslow urged the Highway Patrol to monitor the bridge and issue tickets as appropriate to deter unsafe driving.

Ella Albrecht, who identified the same Church Street neighborhood, echoed Winslow and asked the council to take proactive steps to reduce speeding and to fine violations before a fatality or serious injury occurs.

Council members acknowledged the concerns. Mayor Pro Tem Ashley Hodges said flashing pedestrian signs or other crosswalk visibility measures could deter speeding and endorsed coordination with law enforcement. Councilman Jerry Mimlitsch said he would speak with Sheriff White about options for enforcement and speed monitoring. No formal traffic engineering study or immediate capital work was approved at the Nov. 14 meeting.

The record shows residents raised this matter during the public comment period; councilmembers recommended staff and local law enforcement explore enforcement and signage remedies and report back to the council.