Posted on 07/08/2009 11:23:21 AM PDT by BGHater
Indianapolis - A call to the city's SWAT team was the final move against one property owner who let his grass grow higher than a foot.
Specially trained officers were called out to the 9000 block of Harrison Run Drive as city crews tried to groom one unruly yard on the northeast side.
Harrison Run is a neighborhood well cared for. At home after home in this subdivision near 71st and Fall Creek Road, neighbors tend to their yards. That's why one in particular stood out - or in this case, stood up.
"We're talking about a foot and half tall," said Luis Araoz, neighbor.
But the high grass produced more than just dandelions. Monday morning, it called out Metro's SWAT team.
"This is a first for something I had to run up against," said Lt. Jeff Duhamell, IMPD.
The city's Office of Code of Enforcement responded after a notice of high grass and weeds went unheeded for at least five days. So it showed up with a mowing crew to do the job. But police say when contractor Dominique Thompson climbed up on the riding mower, he noticed the homeowner pointing a shotgun directly at him.
"I was kind of shocked. This man pulled a gun on me, and I'm out here doing a job. There was a lot going on in my mind at that point," said Thompson.
Police say the man on the other side of the weapon was 32-year-old Christopher Rhymes. He touched off a standoff that lasted three hours.
"They attempted to negotiate with him by audio means, loud speakers. They tried to call him with no answer, finally they made a limited penetration into the house. They heard him inside and subsequently he gave up," said Duhamell.
This wasn't the first time for residents of Harrison Run. They say it had become a summertime tradition. While they'd be busy manicuring their lawns, Rhymes was busy digging his heels into his.
"He doesn't want to fit in with the rest of the neighborhood," said Kevin Marrs, neighbor.
The homeowners association says it took Rhymes to small claims court to force him to cut his grass, a ritual that repeated itself over the years.
"There's one in every neighborhood," said Marrs. "I happen to live a couple doors away from it."
At the end of the day, SWAT did its job and a misdemeanor charge was leveled against Rhymes and the grass got cut.
Dominique Thompson
Christopher Rhymes
.
Did the guy at least own a dog that the SWAT jackasses could shoot?
Tough s$^%. His property, not yours. Stupid home owners ASSociations.
Of course it is the fault of the home owner in the first place for buying a house covered by home owners ASSociation rules.
“He doesn’t want to fit in with the rest of the neighborhood,” said Kevin Marrs, neighbor.
key quote here
gotta use those swat teams if you’re gonna have em.
Indy to residents: Mow your lawn!
Updated: May 22, 2009 01:05 PM
Indianapolis - The city is hoping to stay ahead of complaints about residents who let their grass grow too high. Anything over 13 inches violates city ordinance.
The Office of Code Enforcement says recent changes in city ordinance allow Indianapolis to take aggressive action against property owners after just one notice. If the city notifies the owner that the grass is too high and nothing is done about it, the city will clean up the property and send the owner the bill. Bills for landscaping and mowing generally come to around $300.
The city says it's sent 4,700 advisory notices to property owners who failed to cut their grass since 2008.
Abandoned homes are a particular concern for city because they attract crime and drive down property values as well as the quality of life in neighborhoods.
--------------------------
'Bills for landscaping and mowing generally come to around $300.'
Mafia, you guys will always be second fiddle.
Ridiculous and dishonest headline.
It couldn't possibly have been the fact that the home-owner had chosen to engage in and armed stand-off. Nope.... couldn't possibly be that.
That would be an inconvenient obstacle for the usual cast of hystericals....
If the idiot doesn’t like cutting his grass then don’t live in a neighborhood where it’s required. Kill the grass and put down gravel. Roundup is faster than a lawnmower.
as much as i hate the idea of anyone telling me what to do with my property, there are two separate issues here and the title is misleading. The SWAT team was not called because the man refused to cut his lawn. They were called because the man pulled a shotgun on the city lawn crew. No, I don’t believe in homeowner’s associations or in giving them any power, yes I believe in homeowner’s rights and the RKBA. HOWEVER, if you pull a shotgun on someone who is (albeit forcibly)mowing your lawn, the authorities will of course get involved.
He reminds me of teenagers who are determined that no one is going to tell them what to do. I remind them that, some day, someone WILL tell you what to do. Tall grass is NOT worth dying for.
‘At the end of the day, SWAT did its job and a misdemeanor charge was leveled against Rhymes and the grass got cut.’
I certainly give the Police credit for only giving him a mis. and dealing with the situation with patience.
Ridiculous and dishonest headline.
Bingo!
Grass & guns. Whoda thunk it?
I was very surprised to see he only got a mis. charge! But $300 to mow his lawn? That’s nuts, THAT is a crime!
The grass IS NOT why the swat team showed up.
One blade? Every blade? A rolling average of blades? A statistically valid sample of blades?
One blade? Every blade? A rolling average of blades? A statistically valid sample of blades?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.