Miami Gardens: A group says that City of Miami Gardens workers are bothering people who live in the Rainbow Park neighborhood about dirt and grass patches.
The trouble is with the swales that run along the edges of the street sidewalk. Teams that police the law want better repairs and renovations. People who refuse will be fined. A petition with more than 160 signatures, on the other hand, is being used by dozens to fight back.
“Enforcing the code is making the neighborhood scared,” said homeowner Jack Cunningham.
Alley Thrower, who is 87 years old, bought her house 60 years ago. Since then, she has never felt like code inspectors were putting pressure on Rainbow Park homeowners until now.
“You got to do this, that, and the other thing (or) they fine you,” she added.
The homeowner said that city workers bring letters telling people to get rid of the dirt in swales, plant grass, take care of it, and pour concrete, or else. Homeowners say that code enforcement teams also make people pay to power wash their steps.
Beginning last Wednesday, CBS News Miami sent multiple messages to city workers. People haven’t replied yet.
In the past few months, the Wallace family broke the rules twice. The fines add up to $500. The family got one fired. The other can’t happen yet. A lot of money was spent on sod, which they then put down.
Even so, they keep getting letters warning of more fines. The family is afraid that liens could be put on their home if they don’t pay their fines.
Chris Wallace said, “For us, I feel like we didn’t buy (the swales).” “I don’t have to take care of that but they’re telling us yes we have to and yes we have to maintain it.”
Wallace is getting people to sign a petition asking the city to find out who made the threats and stop what she called abuse.