[AnotherUnixGeek]

the issue was a civil matter and not criminal

This seems to be a major flaw in the state and local legal systems throughout the country - I keep reading stories like this. Hopefully it's not going to end up with some squatter getting shot before legislators get it into their thick skulls that breaking and entering and occupying someone else's property is a criminal offense, not a "civil matter".

[citizen]

It’s to the point where any B & E burglar of an unoccupied residence could simply tell the police they’re living there now - and they might get away with it.