Council addresses safety concerns over crosswalk flashing lights in Ohio

The City Council of Napoleon, Ohio, convened on March 17, 2025, to address several community concerns, with a significant focus on pedestrian safety at a local crosswalk.

During the meeting, a council member raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of the crosswalk, which was installed approximately two to five years ago. The member noted that despite discussions with the police chief about traffic stopping for pedestrians, there have been ongoing issues with compliance. The council member expressed uncertainty about whether the current flashing light at the crosswalk is beneficial or problematic, prompting a call for further discussion among fellow council members.

Another council member supported the idea of retaining the flashing light but suggested exploring additional measures to enhance pedestrian safety. This led to a query directed at the city engineer regarding the possibility of modifying the lights to flash red, which would require vehicles to stop. However, the engineer clarified that the current setup, which features yellow caution lights, was designed in accordance with state requirements, indicating that a change to red lights may not be feasible.

The discussion highlighted the council's commitment to ensuring pedestrian safety and the need for ongoing evaluation of traffic control measures. The meeting concluded with a consensus to further investigate options for improving safety at the crosswalk, reflecting the council's proactive approach to community concerns.