Yard Nazis, Trespassing, and JSO

[gmpalmer]

Hey all,

I got a frantic call from my wife this morning b/c our yard was being mangled by the city.

It seems that, without any attempt to contact us after the "mow your yard" sign, the city decided to trespass on my property and mangle my yard, wildflowers, garden, and rose-bushes.

When my wife called JSO, the THREE officers who showed up LAUGHED at her and told the city workers to go ahead and mangle our (planted, mind you) wildflowers.  Unfortunately, she was too frazzled to get the information of the JSO "officers."

Had I been there, I surely would have asked why these folks could take the time to harass my pregnant wife when they couldn't take the time to prevent my lawn equipment from being stolen in the first place.

Apart from quitting my job, posting no trespassing signs, sitting on my roof with a sniper rifle, and losing all sanity, is there anything I can do?

Or am I finally just being subjected to the heavy boot of the state -- which ALWAYS uses FORCE to ensure its policies are followed?


Michael

[Lunican]

Can they come mow my yard?

Why would they do this when their own property and medians aren't even maintained.

[gmpalmer]

INSANE.

I'm really glad I was at work.  Otherwise I would be wanting to type this from a holding cell.

[civil42806]

Actually they can do it if there are complaints and its considered an eyesore, better yet you should expect a bill in the mail.  Not sure what the strict rules are maybe someone else can elaborate.

[buckethead]

I'd bet these are pivate landscapers getting paid by the city, on a per lot basis. Grab and go baby! Are the homeowners to pay a service fee?

The workers are most likely illegals. Good guys, just doing as the boss says.

A city employee would not be so eager to do work which is not required.

Whatever happened to sustainable landscaping anyway?

[jbroadglide]

Michael
Please e-mail me off list and I will try and help you.
John

[copperfiend]

Check out the interchange of Phillips/9A. The city could use their peeps in that area.

[JaxNole]

I thought the city was to post a notice in a conspicuous place first.  Then, if the violation is not cured, the city can use their own contractors and bill the property owner.

Were there no signs on any objects like a light post, tree or even the front door?

[Dog Walker]

"It seems that, without any attempt to contact us after the "mow your yard" sign, the city decided to trespass on my property and mangle my yard, wildflowers, garden, and rose-bushes."

How many times should the city have to warn you that your yard is overgrown and the neighbors are complaining?  They should nag you like your mother?  Beg, "pretty please"?

If your bahia grass is concealing your roses and other landscaping how are they going to keep from mowing over them too?

There are lots of yards around Riverside that have no grass in them at all; that are all planted beds and ground cover.  They are not mowed over because they are MAINTAINED.  If you don't want to maintain a yard, move to an apartment or a trailer in the country.  Don't inflict your trashy ways on your neighbors.

[JaxNole]

Dog Walker, I'm with you.

I called Code Enforcement for a property a few doors down because it appears no one lives there and the grass was at least 30" tall when I measured.

The next day, there were yellow notice signs advising of the violations.  They were posted on the front door of the property, a tree and a utility pole.

The kicker is that two other properties were given notice because of the same violation.

[Dog Walker]

Keeping up with the growth of Bahia grass in a warm, wet summer is a major pain, but nothing except graffiti makes a neighborhood look run down faster than overgrown yards.  They attract the bottle throwers too.

[Karl_Pilkington]

these city yard contractors are the worst.  they do some of the sloppiest work I've ever seen.  The city code allows the city to come and mow someone's yard if it is around 3ft high and there is a CARE request.  Of course I've seen yards such as one in St. Vincent that is all wildflowers ON PURPOSE, so who really knows what this city's priorities are anymore.  Aren't there some out of control medians or weed filled city lots that need some mowing?  I can see a chris hionedis lot that is in need of some work, walked by the empty lot that was supposed to be a parking lot for KBJ architects and the weeds were about 3ft high too, who knows.  All I know is that it would be almost impossible for someone to enter my property without getting hurt.

[jbroadglide]

Actually the rule is 15" inches over at least 51% of the parcel.

[JaxNole]

Actually the rule is 15" inches over at least 51% of the parcel.

15 inches?  I did not know that.  Is that posted anywhere on COJ's website?

I don't want to submit CARE requests without talking to neighbors first, but the time I called, there was no one home and notes I left on the door stayed there.

[jbroadglide]

Probably not. But here it is straight out of Chapter 518 of the Municipal Code.

Sec. 518.202.  Conditions prohibited and declared public nuisances; penalty.
The following described conditions occurring or being upon any lot, tract or parcel of land, or contiguous swales, improved or unimproved, within 100 feet of any improved property on which there exists a building, structure or other premises occupied by people within the city, or on any lot or parcel of land irrespective of its distance from any structure when the Chief determines on a case by case basis, to the extent and in the manner that the lot, tract or parcel of land is or may reasonably become infested or inhabited by rodents, vermin or animals, or may furnish a breeding place for mosquitoes, or threatens or endangers the public health, safety or welfare, or may reasonably cause disease, are each hereby prohibited and declared to be a public nuisance:
(1)   Nuisance vegetation which exceeds a height of 15 inches over the majority of the parcel or untended growth or weeds, grass, underbrush or undergrowth, or other noxious vegetation (but not including trees, plants or other vegetation protected by state law).