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Residents urge repairs to Anita Drive, question e-bike/scooter helmet rules and report gaps in house-watch program
Summary
During public comment at the March 10 Goose Creek council meeting, residents pressed the council to repair Anita Drive and install speed bumps, raised safety concerns and helmet inconsistencies for e-bikes vs. e-scooters, and reported that the house-watch program has been inconsistent while citing limited police manpower.
Several residents used the March 10 public-comment period to press the Goose Creek City Council on local road safety, micromobility rules and the city’s house-watch program.
A long-time resident (Speaker 6) described Anita Drive — especially the stretch in front of Veterans Park — as "atrocious," saying the top asphalt is worn away, road edges are collapsing and the street sometimes looks like "a racetrack." The resident urged the council to install speed bumps. The mayor responded that speed bumps had been approved and noted the city is working with the county and staff to fund and schedule projects.
Edie (Speaker 7) told the council she had reviewed a proposed ordinance on electric bicycles and scooters and worried that restrictions on where e-bikes can be ridden would effectively trap riders if sidewalks and faster roads are both restricted. She said she supported helmet requirements for electric bikes but asked why similar helmet requirements would not apply to electric scooters, which she said can reach higher speeds: "If we're not going to require them to wear a helmet riding a scooter, why are we requiring e-bikes?" The council proceeded to adopt the e-bike and e-scooter ordinance later in the meeting.
Josh Renfro (Speaker 8) raised a civic-rights statement tied to a recent Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation, arguing the town removed the phrase "endowed by our Creator" and asking elected officials to state whether rights come from God or government. He urged supporters to "challenge every single" official who would not agree. The mayor declined to turn public comment into a performance but offered to speak privately afterward.
Mr. Harrison (Speaker 9) described problems with the city's house-watch program: he said security-camera footage showed nobody visited his property while he was away, and when he spoke with police, he was told the program is now a low priority because of manpower constraints. He said the lack of consistent service left him worried about neighborhood safety.
The mayor offered to speak with commenters after the meeting and noted staff may have answers or explanations. Several of the topics raised in public comment — road conditions, micromobility safety, and house-watch staffing — overlap with city departments (Public Works, Police) that will handle implementation and follow-up.
