You want a code horror story?
Ok, let me give you a Code Enforcement horror story. This is only ONE of the reasons I left California permently.
I owned a small tract house in Citrus Heights last year, and down the street, I rented another house also, as it had a double car garage that I used for my shop, and a freind rented the house from us.
One day, a pair of gals showed up at the front door of the rental house. They were wearing bright orange T shirts with the words "CODE ENFORCEMENT" on them. They informed my friend, that they had a complaint filed with their office for a front porch light hanging from the box by the wires, which was false in the first place. When my friend, seeing "enforcement" on the shirts, asked what to do, they handed her a paper, which was a misdemeanor citation made out to me. They asked to come in, which she should have told them no, but being intimidated by the shirts, allowed them to do so.
Upon entering, one of the "officers" as they called themself, asked her if "Rick" still lived in the home. My freind, taken by surprize, told them I did not, but was a freind and caretaker of the house. Now, I had 3 prior run in's with this local gestapo department, and a couple with the NEW local police. Total assholes. This gal asking questions, then tells my friend that she "used" to be a police officer. Who actually turns out, was one of the police I had a run in with over my car parked in the driveway at the rental house. She didn't like me by the time I cleared up that situation. And now here she was as a "code enforcer", asking questions about me.
Unaware of the other "enforcer", while being interogated about me, my friend did not notice that the other "enforcer" was walking through the house, in every room, INSPECTING it. Now, I don't know about you, but last time I looked, this is America, not Russia or pre war Germany. Had I been there, it would not have happened. They wouldn't even got in the door. But here they were, inspecting a home, for code violations. Which, naturally, they found. 10 of them. If I told you what they were, you would laugh. When this gal was done, all of a sudden, they told my friend that they were citing me, for all the violations. My friend said, I didn't live there, or did not own the house. The "enforcers" laughed and said. "We know for a fact he does, and will enforce these citations with police excort if we have too."
When my friend told me that night what happened, I became infuriated. having learned the names of these "enforcers", I went to CITY HALL, to find out what the fuck was going on. This smacked of illegal search, and I was intent on hanging these pricks. First, I went to the police department, and made up a phony story to speak to the officers. By george, here they came. IN POLICE UNIFORM. That did it. They saw me, and did the fastest about face you ever seen. I was escorted with no explaination by other officers. Now I was REALLY pissed.
Knowing how this City Hall works with the police, I waited a day, to catch the head honcho at the "NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT" program off guard. His office was in City Hall.
After asking at the front counter in the City Hall lobby, to speak to this person, I was left waiting for a half hour sitting there. A lady came out, and asked what I wanted.
After spending 10 minutes explaining the situation to her, I was again left sitting for another 15 minutes. Thats when things got hairy. As I sat there, three police officers entered the lobby, two of them with shotguns. The ones with shoguns walked up and stood beside me, one on each side facing me, and the other about 3 feet behind me. I asked what the problem was, only to be told there was NO problem. NO PROBLEM? Give me a fucking break.
Now I'm shaking from anger. But knowing there were 2 other people in offices behind me, I figured they wouldn't do a damn thing if I got up and walked out. Which I did. They followed me to the door, but they were thinking I was going to leave. I didn't. I lit a cigarette, and picked up the reciever on a pay phone outside the lobby. I called the local paper and explained what was going on. A reporter and photographer showed up in 10 minutes. Just as they showed up, I saw through the front glass door, the gal, a guy in a suit, and about 5 other people come up to the counter. I spoke with the reporters, and they agreed to follow me in. I could see the policeman off to the side, but now there were no shotguns.
As we entered, the "suit" reaches out to shake my hand. I oblidged, and introduced myself. He offered an apology for making me wait, but now, he has to leave and would accept an appointment, but did want to resolve the issue at this time. They knew whoo the reporters were. No doubt. They knew their ass was grass also. I knew it too. I was frank. I told him, that intimidation by police in a City Hall lobby was going to make great headlines. He started to squirm. I loved it. But then told him, there would be no appointment. Only a supeonea from my attorney. He got my drift. Needless to say, they were not pleased.
We left, and went and had coffee. I told the reporters the whole story. They told me it was becoming common in our community. The neiborhood enhancement department was already involed in numerous suits because of this kind of shit they were pulling, and worse. Well, within the following months untill I moved, I was pulled over 3 times, had my car searched, was issued tickets for parking too close to MY curb, and 8" in front of my own driveway. Police drove by my house EVERY day and stopped. They inspected my cars. They walked around my property. They didn't find anything so moved on.
When I finally put my house up for sale, I was visited by a local inspector, who, when asked what he wanted, replied he was there to inspect for compliance with various new ordinaces the city had passed, and since my house was up for sale, by law they had the right to inspect before it was sold. I told him to get the fuck off my property. He didn't come back. Nor did the police. They were trying to pull something and now they knew that I knew it too. I moved 6 weeks later.
As my parents STILL live there, I have since learned, the mayor, the city, police, certain inspectors, and others were involved in a massive suit that resulted in a humongous class action award to various people in the community. The neighborhood "enhancement" department was shut down, as they were a tool that local police were using to spy on people and collect information. It all came to light, because of the reporters I spoke to. To this day, it still shakes me up. I wished I had participated in the suit, but I'm just happy they got fucked good. Local codes, ordinaces, laws etc that are made by overzealous beaurocrats and police, are currently sidestepping civil rights and they get away with it by virtue of apathy, intimidation, and fear. Only by being aware of what is within your rights and fighting for it can you protect your self.
Believe me, I spent 4 days in jail from police violating my civil rights 3 years ago. That one was thrown out of court by the judge, who publicly admonished the local district attorney. But it cost me $500 in attorney fees and the police DIDN"T even show up in court. If you don't believe this stuff is taking place, look at this.
http://pub36.ezboard.com/fcopssuck97857frm2
Don't get me wrong here. I have nothing against good police. We depend on them for many things. I've just never met one. Only assholes.
In another case, earlier this year, the local child support agency DA blatently stole $30,000 from me . I just sent the proof to the Sacramento Grand Jury.
I can't wait to see the DA's face. He won't forget me either.
fitZ
