Resident requests fence after repeated trespass, trash and hazardous waste from nearby clinic

Resident Joel Martinez told the Vineland City Council at the April 15 meeting that he has experienced repeated trespassing, discarded drug paraphernalia and property damage that he says stems from activity near a neighboring medical facility and its landscaping contractor. Martinez said the problems have persisted for three years and have harmed his health and family life.

"Every day drug addicts trespass into my land using it to urinate, get high, and engage in criminal activities such as theft to my property," Martinez said, adding that staff and landscapers at the medical facility allow debris including cigarette butts, cups, bottles, diapers, trash bags, needles and drug paraphernalia to be blown onto his property. He told the council his service dog died after apparently ingesting rat poison that was blown onto his property.

Martinez said he is a heart-attack survivor and that the continued stress and the hours he spends clearing debris have worsened his health. He asked the council for "stronger oversight and clear accountability for the actions of the neighboring medical facility, its staff, and its landscapers," and formally requested that the city require a fence along the border between his property and the medical facility to prevent further incidents.

Council staff asked Martinez to provide his address and photographs; the clerk noted his address as 1149 West Sherman Ave. The council did not take formal action during the meeting; Martinez's request was entered into the public record for staff follow-up.