City demanded on my property !!

[WalkingWolf]

Flashing a badge while conducting a search or inspection and claiming to be a city(government) employee would be reasonable for most people to assume the carrier is a LE unless they identify themselves as other. Flash any badge that you displayed and make a demand and you are not a LE will most likely end in arrest.

 

[onthespot]

Apparently there is a City Volunteer Code Enforcement team.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_wnorco03.261d2ca.html

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Quote:
Unless they have a search warrant and show up with a cop, you legally don't have to let them on your property. Next time they show up, tell them to come back with a sheriff and a warrant and slam the door in their faces.

They are conducting an illegal search. If they take pictures, that is a violation of your privacy. Take pictures of them taking pictures of your stuff. Make sure you get their faces. If they take anything, it's an illegal search and seizure.

Call your local law school/legal college and see if you can hire a legal intern if you're in a position where you cannot afford a real lawyer.

ETA: The reason you feel violated is because you have been.

Our county has a code enforcement department. They WILL go onto your property and take pictures. If you are not home, too bad, they do it then leave a notice on your door. If someone is home, they will let you know they are there AFTER taking the pictures if you have no way of knowing when someone pulls into your drive.
And a dog is NOT a deterrent...code enforcement was called on a renter not far from us......no one home, a dog running loose. Enforcement department called animal control to come pick up the dog, and THEN took the pictures they needed & posted a notice on the door.

We were outside, so chatted guy up and found out what all was going on. If you violate any of our county codes, which apparently someone agrees to by living in this county, then they can photo violations, leave you a warning, and on the follow up visit - can fine you or take you to jail.

ETA: I am pretty sure ours are not volunteers, either.

 

[cassie]

BTK was a code enforcement officer.

 

[cassie]

Quote:
Unless they have a search warrant and show up with a cop, you legally don't have to let them on your property. Next time they show up, tell them to come back with a sheriff and a warrant and slam the door in their faces.

They are conducting an illegal search. If they take pictures, that is a violation of your privacy. Take pictures of them taking pictures of your stuff. Make sure you get their faces. If they take anything, it's an illegal search and seizure.

Call your local law school/legal college and see if you can hire a legal intern if you're in a position where you cannot afford a real lawyer.

ETA: The reason you feel violated is because you have been.

It would be time well spent to look up the regulations allowing access to private property for yourself. Just because they are doing it, and think it is legal, does not mean that it is in fact legal. I learned long ago that what an official told me the law is, and what the law actually is, are more often than not, not the same thing at all.
Our county has a code enforcement department. They WILL go onto your property and take pictures. If you are not home, too bad, they do it then leave a notice on your door. If someone is home, they will let you know they are there AFTER taking the pictures if you have no way of knowing when someone pulls into your drive.
And a dog is NOT a deterrent...code enforcement was called on a renter not far from us......no one home, a dog running loose. Enforcement department called animal control to come pick up the dog, and THEN took the pictures they needed & posted a notice on the door.

We were outside, so chatted guy up and found out what all was going on. If you violate any of our county codes, which apparently someone agrees to by living in this county, then they can photo violations, leave you a warning, and on the follow up visit - can fine you or take you to jail.

ETA: I am pretty sure ours are not volunteers, either.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
Flashing a badge might but not openly wearing one, assuming it does say who you are on the badge.

 

[cassie]

Quote:
Unless they have a search warrant and show up with a cop, you legally don't have to let them on your property. Next time they show up, tell them to come back with a sheriff and a warrant and slam the door in their faces.

They are conducting an illegal search. If they take pictures, that is a violation of your privacy. Take pictures of them taking pictures of your stuff. Make sure you get their faces. If they take anything, it's an illegal search and seizure.

Call your local law school/legal college and see if you can hire a legal intern if you're in a position where you cannot afford a real lawyer.

ETA: The reason you feel violated is because you have been.

Our county has a code enforcement department. They WILL go onto your property and take pictures. If you are not home, too bad, they do it then leave a notice on your door. If someone is home, they will let you know they are there AFTER taking the pictures if you have no way of knowing when someone pulls into your drive.
And a dog is NOT a deterrent...code enforcement was called on a renter not far from us......no one home, a dog running loose. Enforcement department called animal control to come pick up the dog, and THEN took the pictures they needed & posted a notice on the door.

We were outside, so chatted guy up and found out what all was going on. If you violate any of our county codes, which apparently someone agrees to by living in this county, then they can photo violations, leave you a warning, and on the follow up visit - can fine you or take you to jail.

ETA: I am pretty sure ours are not volunteers, either.

It would be time well spent to look up the regulations allowing access to private property for yourself. Just because they are going onto private property taking pictures, and think it is legal, does not mean that it is in fact legal. I learned long ago that what an official tells me the law is, and what the law actually is, are more often than not, not the same thing at all. Sometimes it is not even close. A lot of times officials seem to think it is OK to make up law as they go along.

I am posting this a second time because I goofed up the format on my first posting.

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Quote:
It would be time well spent to look up the regulations allowing access to private property for yourself. Just because they are going onto private property taking pictures, and think it is legal, does not mean that it is in fact legal. I learned long ago that what an official tells me the law is, and what the law actually is, are more often than not, not the same thing at all. Sometimes it is not even close. A lot of times officials seem to think it is OK to make up law as they go along.

I am posting this a second time because I goofed up the format on my first posting.

They can legally. And do. Taking pictures is considered collecting evidence. And if they are investigating and collecting evidence - I have no clue as to whether a warrant is needed. Did not think to ask.

What I read is so loosely worded........ it is below

They enforce our county ordinances for a lot of things..

ETA: Technically they are called Office of Environmental Enforcement

Enforce County ordinances and state law pertaining to animal control and litter control, and Property Maintenance issues. Inspects private and public property for violations of litter, illegal dumping, dilapidated or unsafe unsanitary structures both commercial and residential, overgrown properties, condemns structures as needed. Tags and removes derelict vehicles, Investigates cruelty to animals, animals roaming at large, rabies tags/license violations, trap or tranquilizes abandoned dangerous, vicious, nuisance animals, impounds stray unwanted animals and animals that must be quarantined. Enforce traffic laws that pertain to transporting litter and solid waste. Investigate complaints of illegal construction and demolition dumpsites, damage to roads or rights of way, dumping of raw sewage and pollution violations, collect evidence and issue county summons and state tickets for violations, obtain and serve search and seizure warrants, write reports, testify and prosecute cases in court.

 

[greeneggsandham]

Any update?

 

[AK Michelle]

Quote:
I believe you have a right to know who complained, unless the complaint was anonomous. I would check with the city and see what their public records request policy is. Here, everything is public record and can be viewed by anyone who asks. If a person does order a copy of a file we go through and sharpie all the personal email addresses and phone numbers, but names, business emails and business phone numbers all stay viewable.

Also ask if you can see the results of the investigation, they have to let you know that much, and if they say there is no violation - GET IT IN WRITING!