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False Complaint Ordinance?Posted Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 2:38 PM
Should the City of Brazil adopt a false complaint ordinance to end the practice of some residents of using city authorities to harass other citizens?
During a recent meeting of the Common Council of the City of Brazil, the fact was brought up that the Fire Department checks out many recreational fires that have been complained about that they drive by and do not even see. I'm sure that this is not the only thing that the city gets reports of that is, in fact, false reports. I'm a firm believer in the old saying that "good fences make good neighbors". I'm also a firm believer that neighbors should worry about what is on their own side of the property line and not about what their neighbors do on their own property as long as it is not a threat to health, safety, or the use of their property. Do we need to track who is filing false complaints against certain individuals and causing the needless expenditure of city funds? I think that three unwarranted reports by one individual against another specific individual in a twelve month period is too many and should be cause to levy a fine for wasting city resources. What say you? Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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For some reason I think that some reading between the lines is necessary here...I can see two sides of this blog.
One would be that the person reporting the back yard campfire/bonfire [lots of teens have these and roast marshmallows etc as get togethers which are fun and keep soda's and other sticky things like marshmallows and dirty feet off the living room carpet while allowing a get together with a good number of friends] has something against the person and wants to cause trouble for them.
The other however I have also seen. Some of these parties CAN get out of hand and aren't always innocent teens having a marshmallow or two.
These can effect others outside that circle when alcohol and noise are involved. I have personally called 911 when I witnessed an obviously intoxicated person leaving one of these[in another state] as his impaired driving could harm someone who was not even at the bonfire.
Then there may also be a question about the legality of an open fire in some localities. Pollution is cumilative. Sooner or later more will realize it and know that each of these "harmless" bonfires are hurting environment.
There will come a time when we may have to give up these activities because along with all the other pollutants we put into the air, we will have to choose which are most necessary to keep doing in order to preserve the earth's ability to support us.
So what do I think? Just depends. Legally if there is an open fire restriction, it is not illegal to report, this not false reporting. but then again what is legal isn't always right.
I think there is legally a way for the accused person to take care of this in civil court if it is worth it to them. I have found however that when someone does something wrong, it will eventually come back to bite them. It just isn't always on our schedule. [lol]
There is a law against false reporting. I have seen it on charge sheets when doing police background checks for military enslistment back when I was a recruiting and retention NCO. I'm wondering how difficult it is to prove/enforce due to the issue of proving intent to falsely report.
As for cooking fires being a major contributor to pollution, I don't buy it. (this is the part where I removed my political views! lol)
Leo, when my cooking fire was blowing straight into my neighbors window, which I did not notice, she walked over and respectfully let me know. The fire was put out rapidly and the gas grill got to earn its keep. Simple, too simple. Why do some folks make a huge issue out of something so small? I think the city council has bigger issues they should be putting their efforts toward.
Michael.galloway1, thats too civil for todays society among the majority of our population, respect for others, and cooperation between neighbors seems to have dissappeared, its a sad commentary on all when we have to have laws to be respectful of others, thats the root cause of a lot of problems we all face today.
Edward,
You have unfortunately hit the nail square on the head! I guess I'll have to keep the neighbors that I have for as long as I can. As a matter of fact I think I will have a few over for hotdogs and smores of Friday! Oh, and a ripe tommato or two.
Jenny -- There are things that should be reported, we all agree on that. A party that is disturbing the peace, allowing under-age consumption of alcohol, or committing other infractions is call for a report. However, it appears that some neighbors go to great lengths to interpret the law in ways that involve city government in attempting to force people to live according to their standards. This wastes the resources of the city, although it could be any level of government, meaning that those resources are not available to do productive things.
You and I do not agree on the pollution issue. I simply do not accept the "expert" opinion on that scenario that is currently fashionable any more than I accept other opinions of impending doom. What will be, will be. Just as yeast will build up toxins during the fermenting process that end up killing it off, I realize that Homo sapiens also have the potential to affect their environment to the point of extinction. It will happen, whether it is by what we put into the environment, what we take out of the environment without the ability to replace, or by population growth beyond the resources available. Until then, can we just live free? The "experts" predict doom very easily and with a lot of facts about the probable impact of Man on his environment; however, these predictions are only probable and natural events that are even more devastating could happen any time.
michael.galloway1 -- I know that there is a law that makes a false report in a situation that might cause a crowd to panic is on the books. I cannot find any that makes the reporting of your neighbor with the intent to harass him because he does not choose to live as you do an infraction. Forgive me for the reference, but I see that under the Commandment of "thou shall not bear false witness" and the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. I see a need to define a point when the lack of "probable cause" for the involvement of civil authorities proves the intent to use them to harass.
LOL...........There is little wonder that the human race has a tendency to war upon itself when people that live next to each other in the same society cannot leave each other to live in peace!
Ah, the heck with it! Lets go to the range and bust up some clay pigeons! At least I'll feel better. Who says shooting sports can't be beneficial?
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur Built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." Dave Barry, Nationally Syndicated Columnist
As far as the environmental aspect of things, the Earth is going to last as long as God sees fit, not us. He created the Earth with his own time frame in mind. He knows how long it is going to last, and made provisions for such a time. Now I know there are going to be those out there that are going to twist what I'm saying and saying we should just litter, and not care. Not what I'm saying at all. In fact we SHOULD take care of the planet, not to conserve it, but in appreciation to God. Think about it, He gave us this place to live, and if we're trashing it, He may think we don't appreciate what we have. Same thing as when you have your house, car, whatever it is. Oh, you made the money that makes the payments, but ultimately God provided you with that opportunity. Try your best to take care of what you have, God will bless you with more. Sorry, didn't mean to get off on a religious type stance, but just the way I feel.
Michael and Wiseguy
Right you are!
Let's go bust a few clay pigeons, before someone tells us that all of those pottery shards is littering or decides that they have a detrimental impact on the environment.
Yes, we should take care of God's green earth out of respect for Him and for ourselves. We may pay "the powers that be" for our little piece of it, but we only "own it" on a lease from God.