Rockford leaders ponder changing stop signs

ROCKFORD - Village councilors are again considering revamping the stop signs at Walnut and Franklin streets after learning some drivers hit or fail to stop at the new sign erected last month.

A three-way stop sign and a crosswalk was placed at the intersection in July to improve safety. The measure was decided after police chief Paul May and councilman Gary Fox - a member of the safety commission - had witnessed drivers taking the turn too sharply. The men voiced concern for students walking and driving to school and other motorists.

The new sign erected about 10 feet from the intersection on the east side of Walnut Street continues to be ignored and has been knocked down by vehicles several times, according to Fox.

"People just need to pay attention," Mayor Amy Joseph said. "When they go to another town, they have to pay attention. Why can't they do it here?"

Council members said they are considering placing a four-way stop at the intersection.

Also on Tuesday, council listened to a presentation by Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey regarding inmates being available to help the village with work in parks or other areas. The sheriff said the inmates chosen for the public work are low-level offenders.

"We don't have someone on the work detail that has been charged with murder or a serious crime like that, and we don't let someone who has been sentenced to prison on the work detail," Grey said.

Inmates have worked at the Mercer County Fairgrounds helping prepare for the fair and cleaned various parks, Grey said. They are constantly supervised, he added.

"We make sure a deputy is with them," he said.