Resident Brings Safety Concerns to Council
Oct 02, 2024 01:07PM ● By Angela UnderwoodKristy Macy shares her safety concerns over her neighbor's “transient flophouse,” which she says is used to make methamphetamine, support prostitution, and sell dogs. Courtesy photo
YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Kristy Macy does not feel safe in the home she has lived in for almost two decades.
It hasn't always been this way, according to the local who raised her concerns before the Yuba City City Council at the Sept. 10 meeting.
As in every regular meeting, Mayor Shon Harris notes the three-minute limit “appearance of interested citizens,” who can speak on concerns.
As usual, Harris noted that public comment can be “on anything within the scope of the city's jurisdiction, including items not listed on the agenda.” However, citizens who want to make a point can turn in written requests 24 hours prior to the meeting, giving them five minutes to speak.
Macy did that.
“There have been three years of dangerous activities and deplorable conditions occurring at the neighbor's house next door, 640 Tabor Ave.,” Macy said, adding that the property is unique in that it “end caps” the block.
“I have owned this property since 2003 and I have lived next door to my neighbor, David Hope, who inherited the property after his mother died,” Macy said, adding her “developmentally delayed and elderly neighbor personally shared concerns about keeping up the property after his mother died.”
“Instead of moving out and going to some sort of senior-assisted property, he started to invite criminals and transients to his property,” Macy said.
Macy used up all five minutes to detail specific concerns. Due to the law that city officials cannot speak during public comment, the Territorial Dispatch contacted city officials after the meeting regarding Macy's concerns.
Deputy Development Services director Doug Libby said complaints regarding 640 Taber Ave. have occurred over the years. City Manager Diana Langley said the Yuba City Police Department has responded to multiple calls for service to the property and continues to do necessary enforcement as needed.
Libby said the most recent complaint activity began in April 2023.
“Since that time, 15 complaints have been received,” Libby said, adding issues raised range from onsite trash accumulation, multiple recreational vehicles on the property with people living in them, and improper disposal of grey water.
“Other complaints received relate to the poor condition of the home,” Libby said.
Langley said, “The city is sympathetic to Ms. Macy's situation, as well as the similar plight of the other surrounding neighbors.”
“We encourage Ms. Macy and her neighbors to continue to call the Police Department and code enforcement so that we can document and address the issues,” Langley said.
Macy shared why she said Hope's home became a “transient flophouse.”
“In my opinion, he is being taken advantage of because of some of his inability to see the criminal activity going, specifically when he moves in Johnathon Wayne Peterson, who is a well-known criminal in this area,” Macy said, adding that Peterson took complete control of the property in 2022. “He stalked and harassed me and my son for the time that he was there.”
Macy said that she began contacting law enforcement and probation departments because Peterson “wasn't being supervised.”
However, Macy said, the “regular acts of intimidation, threats of violence, damage to the property” continued.
“He was deflating tires on our cars, prowling, and was killing cats and leaving them on my driveway,” Macy said.
In 2022, Massey said Peterson was arrested for his behavior, due to a “very violent evening” between her and Peterson. Macy said after Peterson, a woman named Antonia Madrid, who Macy alleges has a “long criminal history of manufacturing methamphetamine,” moved in.
“The amount of deplorable conditions has escalated,” Macy said. “The criminal organization, which is all I can call it, is happening, including methamphetamine manufacturing, selling, prostitution, selling animals, has gone on for two-and-a- half years.”
Yuba City Police Chief Brian Baker said there is no credible information that drugs are being manufactured on the premises.
“We will continue to patrol the area and address matters of a criminal nature as they present themselves,” Baker said.
Libby said the Department of Code Enforcement coordinates with the Police Department where a complaint includes a criminal component.
“Code enforcement officers have had ongoing coordination to push for action. Four citations have been issued with fines totaling $1,960,” Libby said. “Due to the fines being unpaid, the City Council unanimously acted on July 16, 2024, by adopting Resolution 24-101 that placed the unpaid fines onto the annual property tax bill.”
Baker said his department strives to respond to and handle complaints regarding criminal activity.
“In the instance of this residence, we have been working with our partners in code enforcement to address the concerns of the neighborhood,” Baker said.
Macy said at the end of 2023, she “was told by law enforcement I should file a civil lawsuit.”
“So I went through the process of filing a civil lawsuit, and in February, I received a judgment of one million dollars and for all nuisance activity to stop immediately,” Macy said.
It hasn't stopped, according to Macy.
“I want to stop and say, I reported a lot of this and have been in regular contact with code enforcement and I am not here to demonize any of these agencies,” Macy said.
Macy said she speaks for other citizens who are scared to come forward.
Langley said while Macy's situation is monitored, “the City Council and city staff encourage residents to share their public safety concerns so that we have awareness and can take appropriate action, within the city's authority, to address the concerns.”
Libby said, “The property owner needs to be motivated by monetary fines to take corrective action.”
“The city is continuing its efforts with code enforcement exploring available legal remedies to abate the private property violations,” Libby said.
Mayor Harris said officials “hear her concerns, sympathize with her, and will continue to address the problems as best as possible.”