Some say city property ordinances lead to harassment
Residents take action to resolve issue
Some people are feel that city property ordinances in Fort Smith are leading to harassment.
The concerned residents said the city is enforcing codes and pitting neighbors against each other in the process.
"We don't want a trashy yard any more than anyone else would, but enough is enough," resident Noah Steffey said.
Steffey said he is building a privacy fence around his home to prevent what he calls harassment by city workers.
The Fort Smith Department of Neighborhood Services is in charge of enforcing nuisance property ordinances. They respond after being contacted by residents complaining about properties in their neighborhood.
Neighborhood Services said that when inspectors are called out, they focus on the entire neighborhood and not just one residence.
"Grass needs to be maintained to six inches or less," said Rick Ruth, who is the manager over the department. "We address dead limbs, dead trees, trash and debris, indoor furniture left outside."
In 2015, the department issued nearly 10,000 violations to property owners in Fort Smith.
In most cases, people are allowed seven days to correct the problems that were cited.
"Those things take away from the quality of life and the property values," Ruth said.
If property owners do not comply and fix the violations, the city said it may have crews perform the work, but property owners will be charged for their services.
"I don't like the feeling that I have to worry about being harassed by neighbors who are encouraged by city government to harass their fellow neighbors," said Steffey, who was recently notified his home was in violation of several property nuisance ordinances.
Tickets could also be issued to those not in compliance, which eventually could lead to a fine of up to $500.
"We're going to erect this privacy fence and just try to live in peace," Steffey said. "A neighbor who might have a vendetta against another neighbor can exploit this divide-and-conquer tactic that has been encouraged by city government."
Fort Smith’s municipal codes and ordinances can be found on its website.