Zoning Inspectors Behaving Badly?
By Greg L | 12 June 2008 | Prince William County | 49 Comments
I’m getting some reports that Prince William County Zoning Inspectors may be improperly divulging the names of complainants to the persons residing at the addresses that are the subject of the complaints. If this has happened to you, let your Supervisor know immediately. If there are enough complaints, and they seem to focus on one or two bad apples, something might just get done about this problem.
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And meanwhile if you’re really worried, use anonymous e-mail. It’s easy to use - see www.anonymouse.org .
I was able to report my neighbors for a violation and receive a response back through an anonymous account. I forget who i used for that account. But it is doable.
My understanding is that Neighborhood Services will not investigate an anonymous complaint. In order to protect the county from potential charges of harassment, profiling and other unlawful practices, they need to be able demonstrate to a court if necessary that the complaint was legitimate.
It’s unfortunate that we have to be concerned about the inspectors divulging the names of the complainants. They should be divulging the names and addresses of suspected illegal aliens that they come across in the course of their duties to ICE, as well as the names of the owners of those houses.
I guess the policy has changed since 2006. That is too bad.
I would urge all citizens to report violations. And if you see any illegal chicken coops, take some digital pictures - a picture is worth a thousand words.
Sounds like it’s time for a sting operation. There are some privacy issues here and if a county employee is giving out confidential information, some disciplinary action is in order. Hasn’t this been an issue with one certain inspector who’s been tipping off violators with certain surnames?
Advocator,
Not sure how that’s relevant. A zoning violation should be filed publicly and a person should have the right to know thier accusor. It doesn’t make sense that you can call the zoning department and lodge a complaint but that the person being complained on can’t know the identity of the person lodging the charge.
The problem is zoning enforcement should be about zoning enforcement and not as a tool of one neighbor that doesn’t like another. If it’s a true zoning issue, utilize the process. Zoning enforcement should be about making sure the property/structure is safe and legal — not if you don’t like something. If it’s because you don’t like the other person, take it up the civil path and see what the Courts may provide.
My personal view on this, as I’ve expressed before is — my land, my way. If you don’t like my pink flamingo’s or classic nude sculpture of Zues on my front yard, move to an HOA controlled area where you can have a say on my property.
So, bravo to the zoning inspectors! Government should not operate in secret especially if the end result is prosecuting a citizen for what they do on their property.
Anchor Baby,
I had a neighbor (over 70 years old) who turned in a zoning violation because his next door neighbors were throwing their trash out of the window and leaving it in the yard - they hadn’t had trash picked up for over a month. It was piling up on the side of the house. He turned them in. Guess what happened to him?
The day his neighbor finally reinstated trash service and took all of the garbage to the street for pick-up, his car was spray-painted and his tire was slashed. The knife was left behind.
This is the type of thing that happens when an inspector divulges who filed the complaint.
I could tell you more stories, but this one is the worst of which I am aware.
There is a certain zoning inspector who does not cite homes for the most obvious violations. This is the same inspector who divulges personal information as well.
Divulge the “manes”? Sounds like some horse play.
Juan’s Tacos R Us know’s it’s me who complains and I don’t care. I am a man. A real man!
http://www.zillow.com/aerial/DualMapPage.htm?zpid=37520815
Taco Truck Ted
Please give me the update on the joint inspection once it’s complete. And no, I didn’t share your information with anyone!
Anchor Baby makes a good point about PCE being used to harrass your neighbor. DportM makes a good point about retribution. So what is the answer?
Unfortunately, people have used PCE to nitpick and gouge at people. They deserve to be outted. On the other hand, how can we be so sure that PCE agents are telling who the complaintants are? Perhaps those complained on can figure it out deductively.
Do cops divulge informants’ names? Why should inspectors do that? Why can’t the inspector BECOME the complainant once they observe the violation themselves and leave the informant out of it?
DPortM said on 12 Jun 2008 at 5:21 pm:
Taco Truck Ted
Please give me the update on the joint inspection once it’s complete. And no, I didn’t share your information with anyone!
I’ts all cool! A MAN doesn’t worry about such things!
I have asked BB to help me get a rally together at the place in question. Told him I would pay for signs, lunch, medical bills (just kidding). I’m not getting any response as of yet. Makes me feel like when he needs something I hop right to it. But when I ask for something (first time) he is no where to be found. Where is the love?
http://www.zillow.com/aerial/DualMapPage.htm?zpid=37520815
That’s OK because I am a MAN. If I gotta go it alone so be it!
A person should be able to flex their 6th Amendment right to face their accuser.
Anon,
That sounds like a good plan but it doesn’t always work out that way.
“A zoning violation should be filed publicly and a person should have the right to know thier accusor”
You’d be right if this was a court where one person had committed a crime against another person or their property. This isn’t a situation where an infraction or crime has been committed against another person….these are infractions against the county code. It is stupid to think that violators should be able to know who accused them. All the tipster is doing is informing the county that they need to take a look.
According to your bizarre sense of justice, if I saw a man beating woman in the park and then stealing a car to get away and called the police to report it, the criminal would get to know my name since I’m the one who called. Ridiculous!
anon said on 12 Jun 2008 at 6:23 pm:
You’d be right if this was a court where one person had committed a crime against another person or their property. This isn’t a situation where an infraction or crime has been committed against another person….these are infractions against the county code.
I believe you’re correct. It’s no more different than a witness to a crime giving a tip to the police. The witness is not the victim.
Virginia law allows the release of complainants names but it may be disclosed at the discretion of the record holder. VA FOIA Section 2.2-3705.3 (10) states:
The following records are excluded from the provisions of this chapter but may be disclosed by the custodian in his discretion, except where such disclosure is prohibited by law:
10. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of complainants furnished in confidence with respect to an investigation of individual zoning enforcement complaints made to a local governing body.
I have not found any law that prohibits the release of these names. However, the PWC BOS should institute a policy soon that prohibits such release. Please remember that not all complaints are zoning complaints. For instance, if you file a complaint concerning the condition of your neighbors house such as broken windows, rotted wood and issues of the Virginia Maintenance Code then your name must be provided in any FOI request.
I have filed multiple complaints and they told me my information would NEVER be given out and “was not even subject to a FOIA request”.
If someone gave that information out it seems that it is against their own rules. I hope there is some big misunderstanding because I am not turning in another one until I know my information is protected!
Of course complaints should remain anonymous. Otherwise, honest people who are trying to maintain a decent standard of living would be targeted by those they turn in. A few people may abuse the complaint process, but any abuse of the process can be handled by the zoning department. There is no need to disclose names.
Let’s assume that the Zoning inspectors have the slightest bit of intelligence. They do drive by visits and telephone calls. If your complaint doesn’t check out, I doubt they will be very responsive the next time we complain.
[Ed note: comment edited.]
Bayberry,
Thanks for finding the section. Criminal complaints/victim statements are protected under FOIA exclusions but other routine information collected by the government are public record.
I knew that when I obtained my CHP that my name and address would be added to the public record. So, I purposely withheld my SSN.
If you want to get government involved because you feel that a person is comitting a zoning violation I don’t see an issue with that information being disclosed as part of the public record. Government should be transparent and no person should be held, fined, or investigated in private except in the MOST restrictive of cases.
Anchor Baby- Then you wouldn’t have a problem with the Adult Detention Center making the names of the illegal aliens residing there public? Oh and how about posting their addresses as well. That way we can start seeing if their houses are the ones the public is turning into zoning.
me-n-u,
Why do you want to know that information? I don’t see the point.
I thought criminal records of adults was a matter of public record.
Just curious.
The zoning inspectors are investigating the case they prove or disprove the complaint based on what is alleged by the person turning in the complaint. Aren’t the zoning inspectors the witnesses in their own case? And don’t these cases go to court sometimes? If they can go to court then the person turning in the complaint should be protected!
me-n-u,
Yes, I have no issue with that. I believe like Anonymous1 mentioned, that’s public record now. Heck, look at the Potomac News every month and you’ll see the names, ages, and addresses of those indicted by the Grand Jury.
Information collected by the government is collected on our behalf collectively as the people. We as the employers of the government should be able to see those records with VERY minimal restriction.
Anon2,
A few cases do actually go to court, and the county does all it can to have the complainant NOT have to appear in court. Once they’ve investigated and cited the violation the county is the Complainant against the Defendant(home owner), and at that point there’s really no need for the complaintant. If the county has investigated and has enough evidence to take the case to court. Then they should be able to win the case without the good citizen who took the time to call/e-mail the violation in to begin with. The county only investigates the violations they know about, and those are the cases citizens call in.
Lafayette,
Exactly I think we are on the same page . I was trying to point out that ALL cases should have the “complainants” name with held and NEVER given out. Any case has the ability to become a criminal court case. Some people believe that the complainants name should be given out and I firmly believe it should never be, I guess unless I say I would go to court to testify and help them if they needed it, but so far I have never had to do that they have always taken care of what is needed once I turn it in. I guess at that point I would need to decide if the problem was worth putting my family out there. That should be my choice and my choice only!
I was told on multiple occasions when I turned in my complaints that they would NEVER release my name and so far that has not happened to me.
If someone is giving out names it needs to be investigated!
anon2,
We are definately on the same page! I too have always been told my name wouldn’t be given out, and it’s on the e-mail complaint form.
I have heard from a couple of friends that within a week of turning complaints in, a PCE inspector was knocking at their doors. Sadly, I do feel there are some that would “use” PCE as a form of harrassment of their neighbors.
Trust me, there are a few cases I’ve turned in that I would go to court if needed. I can’t say I would do this for all violations. I agree, it should OUR choice to appear in court. I guess, we have to pick out battles.
Our PCE inspectors are not above the law. If there’s something “funny” going on with inspector(s). Then let the investigation(s) begin.
Curious, do you live in the Western or the Eastern end of the county?
corr: I guess, we have to pick OUR battles.
Lafayette,
We live on the east end of the county. We have a mess here and it is slowly getting better.
anon2,
Thanks. We are probably dealing with a different batch of inspectors. I’ve been told they aren’t assigned to a specific part of the county. However, we seem to have the same ones up here all of the time. I’m very grateful we have two really good inspectors up here, and one not so good. Clearly, there are more than three inspectors I’ve dealt with. It’s just I’ve been working with these same three for about three years on a consistant basis.
Yeah, it’s on the come back here in the Gainesville District. I am pleased to say the tall grass is almost all gone from our area. I spoke to several of the mowing contractors on their first cuts of the season, and they all said from here on out they’d be maintaining the yard throughout the summer. This is great news. Another sign of improvement is the we have half the vacant houses on my block then we did just two months ago. I remind myself daily this mess didn’t happen overnight, and it most certainly will NOT go away overnight.
And Jack the pultzer prize fraud!
Anchor Baby,
GOVERNMENT should be transparent, but as CITIZENS we have the right to PRIVACY. Therefore the actions of zoning and code enforcement inspectors may be public record, but the complainant’s name should ALWAYS be redacted.
Taco Truck Ted,
It’s PULITZER prize. Sheesh!
JM said
Taco Truck Ted,
It’s PULITZER prize. Sheesh!
Thanks for the correction.
I didn’t get a chance to go school until the Riots were over, so I fell behind early and I’ve been trying to catch up ever since! Everyday my fingernails are dirty, but my conscience is clean.
I believe the thread is titled: Zoning Inspectors Behaving Badly?
Go to this site to see if it is a accurate statement for PG county!
http://www.zillow.com/aerial/DualMapPage.htm?zpid=37520815
Taco Truck Ted,
I think I might be lost in what you are saying. Are you referring to the new picture vs. the old picture below it that shows the changes and the trucks parked there? Is someone not following the rules in MD?
Maybe I am coming in on the tail end of something but I’ve re-read the blog and I have been trying to figure it all out.
For now I will close my eyes and perhaps it will be clearer for me in the morning.
In any case good luck in your endeavors!!!!
I have been complaining about this place for over 1 year!
http://www.zillow.com/aerial/DualMapPage.htm?zpid=37520815
If you move the picture towards the garage you will see the many other taco trucks!
Come on, you don’t really think that the inspectors or the police would tell them who called, do you?
Please note sarcism here!
The authorities in many cases have released such information in Manassas City. And it does cause problems.
I have a house in Fairfax that happens to be vacant which had a PODS in the driveway for about 6 months. Also, there were about 2 dozen moving boxes in the carport. One of the neighbors complained to zoning. My wife went by the house to check on some landscaping we had done and the zoning inspector was there taking pictures. Turns out the PODS was already gone, but we still had te boxes in the car port. Anyway, the inspector was holding his clipboard so that my wife could see the complainant’s name. Easy way of divulging the name without uttering a word.
Why should the inspector even have access to the complainant’s name? That information does nothing to assist him in his duties.
This is an amazing discussion, and as a proud native born tax paying US citizen has me in shock and awe. Locally, Manassas has been sued by the Federal Government for alledged improprieties in how they shared data (by giving out the names/addresses of of violators). Yet people are saying that the zoning enforcers can give out the names/addresses of the complaintants. If this isn’t a double standard protecting law breakers at the expense of the law abiding public what is?? Instead of protests, maybe it’s time we as citizens sued our own Government.
I know you’re innocent until proven guilty, that’s not the issue of this discussion. How about a few of the attorneys who read and comment on this blog helping me understand.
If the inspectors released anyones names they may have violated a county or city policy, but they did not violate the FOI laws therefore did not commit a crime. Mr. Cooper 11:59, I am a very proud former City of Manassas employee for over 21 years serving as the Deputy Zoning Administrator/Lead Zoning Inspector and then as a Property Maintenance Inspector/Assistant Fire Marshal and I never one time ever released the name of anyone who filed a complaint. I still know all the inspectors and I know for a fact that they are good people who would not either. The policy for the City is that complainant’s names of zoning violations are not to be released and as the first Property Maintenance Inspector for the City can say that I was never asked to release a name of a complainant involving a property maintenance complaint. If I had been asked I would have sent it to the City Attorney and we would have made every attempt to legally withhold that information. I served the citizens of Manassas for many years and am proud of the service I provided. When I was growing up my mother told me that you catch more flys with honey then you do with vinegar. What do you think County and City employees think when all you do is bash them. Most City/County employees don’t earn enough to live in the community they serve but they serve proudly. This is not to say there aren’t bad apples and I do not know many County employees but I know there are very dedicated City inspectors who would not provide that information unless directed to provide it. It is real nice of Greg to get on here and make statements that he has not backed up. I do not understand why he would even make such a post and then say “may be improperly divulging” without confirming it. But maybe Greg has an alterior motive, maybe he has it out for the inspectors! Now I have no proof of this but I see no logical reason for making such a statement without the proof. This is no better than the Journal Messenger and some of the antics they do. Greg, you owe an apology to the County employees unless you can prove what you have alleged. I wont hold my breath though!
Former COM employee,
Thanks for a great post and your service to the City.
I really the point is there is a “bad apple” in PWC’s PCE. An inspector does NOT need to to say the name of the person. There are little hints that can be dropped while the initial inspection is going on. The inspector could look in the direction of the person who called in the violation or they could drop hints in conversation or casually show the name on the intake sheet. I don’t think the point of this thread it that all inspectors are bad at all. I can tell you we have two excellent inspectors. I called two of them out by name at Citizens’ Time for all their hard work and dedication. When I got back to my seat the woman sitting behind me tapped me on the shoulder and very proudly told me that MJ was her daughter. I agree we do have many that serve our county and city proudly. I can certainly see as you were one of those proud/dedicated employees. Thanks again.
corr: I really *THINK* the point is there is a “bad apple” in PWC’s PCE.
Lafayette, Thank you and there may be a bad apple in PWC. However, I just wish Greg would get all the facts before he makes a post like this. If it is found to be untrue, then the damage is done. While this is on a much smaller scale, it is like if someone is charged with rape or child molestation and later it is found out it was a false report, many people who saw the initial report will never see the follow-up report. This is my only gripe with this post. On the other hand, if any inspector is providing such information in conflict with a written policy, then he/she should be fired. On another note, there were many times when I did an inspection and the person would all ready know who complained usually because they had all ready been in some type of disagreement with the complainant. Just a bit of advice, if you are going to make a complaint and do not want your neighbor to know it was you, don’t do the day after you had an argument with them
Former COM, I have at least three separate reports about this, with specifics, happening over the past year. The day of this post, I received one more. I could have easily provided details about this, but instead decided that it would be better if citizens took their reports to their elected officials so this could be handled properly.
I would rather see this get fixed rather than try to splash an attention-grabbing headline. My understanding is that our elected officials are compiling the information and will take it to neighborhood services, asking for corrective action. If that corrective action is taken, that’s the end of this. If not, well, I suppose a different tack is in order.
This is about as low-key as I get. Let’s see if it works.
Greg, you never said that and I understand what you are saying. However, your post seems to indicate it is a rumor. I will restate my earlier post, if an inspector did release a complaintants name in conflict with a written policy, he/she should be fired. However, if this inspector released a name without direction from supervisors, he/she should be trained and notified of the policy before any punishment occurs. In all my years of enforcement I always believed 99% of citizens want to do the right thing and not violate local codes and ordinances, they just need to be educated. I also believe that 99% of gov’t employees want to do the right thing, they just need to be trained properly. One bad apple is a sign of a bad inspector, multiple bad apples is a sign of poor management.