Resident James White tells council he feels targeted, cites ADA and Fourteenth Amendment concerns

At the May 19 meeting’s privilege of the floor, James White of 570 North Woodlawn Avenue told Lima City Council he believes his rights are being violated and that neighbors are weaponizing non-emergency calls to the Lima Police Department against him.

White said he has submitted video evidence that his dogs are not a nuisance and said he has been repeatedly the subject of non-emergency nuisance calls. He said that when officers encounter him they report on the calls and that he was told last week “I have to make a report” because someone had complained—White characterized that as discriminatory and a misuse of police resources. He referenced the Fourteenth Amendment and the Americans with Disabilities Act when describing what he said were civil-rights and disability-protection issues. He said he has been told by officers at one encounter that “you’re not doing anything wrong,” but that repeated complaints have changed how police must document encounters.

White said he is not seeking confrontation but wants clarification from the city and said he is prepared to pursue civil or criminal remedies if the conduct continues. He asked that the city “explain to these people that they are in fact the ones violating the law and not me.”

Council acknowledged White’s remarks during the meeting; no council action specific to his comment was recorded that evening. The city clerk’s office or the police department may have additional records related to his claims; White said he had submitted video evidence to the city.