Code Enforcement Officer Walks Into Home (Yells at Sleeping Woman to Mow Her Lawn)

WJBF.com ^ | July 02, 2012 | Michael Miller

[DogByte6RER]

Code Enforcement Officer Walks Into Home

Monday morning, Erica Masters was sleeping in her bed when Columbia County Code Compliance Officer Jimmy Vowell came to serve a violation notice for her grass being too long. Erica caught the whole incident on tape.

"He let himself in and actually came through the house and into my bedroom. And yelled at me to wake me up, to let me know that I needed to come back outside and sign the violation notice."

Erica says she was freaked out seeing a stranger in her doorway.

"I woke up, I didn't have my glasses on or my contacts in and all I see is this big burly figure standing in my doorway. A big huge guy with a grey shirt. It scared the mess out of me."

After the incident, Erica called the Sheriff's Office to file a complaint against Jimmy Vowell. The Columbia County Environmental Compliance Manager, Mike Anderson, says he is aware of the complaint and that his office is investigating it. He also went on to say that his Code Compliance Officers cannot enter someone's home without their permission, and that even if they had probable cause to enter, they would still need to be escorted by a Law Enforcement Officer. Erica feels as though her privacy was invaded by the county.

"I could have been coming fresh out of the shower. I mean, if I'm not answering the door, maybe it's because I can't hear you because I'm in the shower."

She also worries about the safety of the man who served the violation.

"He didn't even have a concern for his own safety, walking into someone's house, and just trying to get their attention when they could very well be an armed and dangerous person."

Erica says she isn't sure if she's going to press charges against Jimmy Vowell. For now, she's going to work on getting her lawnmower fixed.

"I do understand that my yard needs to be cut. I understand that. I have no problem with that. I understand them having to serve a violation notice, but the way they handled it was completely unacceptable."

[TexasRepublic]

By all rights that intruder should have been shot dead.

[Ken H]

A former police officer, and thief:

Columbia County Administrator Scott Johnson says the investigation could be finished as early as Monday. He also says Vowell use to work at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

In 2004, he resigned from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office after he admitted that he took a computer from the property room.

http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2012/jul/06/3/code-enforcement-officer-administrative-leave-ar-4090363/

[hiredhand]

I'm very blessed to be in a neighborhood like this.

Indeed you are! I've got folks too that are are closer than family and know what they're like... sent directly from God I tell ya. :-)

[Ellendra]

I highly doubt someone who has spent the money to install a camera system would leave the front door unlocked

You'd be surprized. My dad made sure the front door has a heavy-duty deadbolt, the sliding porch door has both a lock and a stick keeping it from opening, every window has a good solid lock on them, and if the weather's nice he'll leave all of them wide open when he leaves for work.

[cableguymn]

I read somewhere that her roommate left the door unlocked when she went to work.

I’d be looking for a new room mate.

[MaxMax]

If she was closer, I’d go mow her lawn for her just so she does
not have to deal with the next guy they send over.

Amen to that. I used to help my neighbor with her yard. I even planted flowers for her
and got rid of the burrs so her dog could roam the whole yard. A quiet dog Btw.