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Residents urge Kennett City officials to address unlicensed landlords, report threats and ask federal help
Summary
At a Kennett City meeting residents said some landlords collect rent without a city business license, that utility payments paid to landlords sometimes don’t reach utility companies, and that tenants fear retaliation; speakers asked officials to involve federal agencies and urged tenants to present receipts to police.
Residents at a Kennett City meeting raised complaints about landlords collecting rent without city business licenses, payments for utilities that never reached providers, and alleged threats that have discouraged tenants from reporting incidents. They urged city officials to seek federal assistance and encouraged tenants to document payments with receipts.
The plea came during a public-comment period when multiple speakers described a pattern of tenants paying landlords for utilities and other services but lacking evidence that those funds reached the utility companies. "Police department is not getting any requests from citizens who say they have the proof that they paid their utilities," Unidentified Speaker 3 said, urging residents to present receipts to law enforcement so cases can be pursued.
Unidentified Speaker 4 described landlords operating without apparent city business licenses and collecting rent despite that status. "They're not licensed in the city," the speaker said, adding that enforcement was a remaining question for officials.
Unidentified Speaker 2 said some tenants had been threatened and that fear of retaliation had kept people from coming forward. "This is bigger than all of us," the speaker said, and added that they had asked federal agencies to help and would email a list of agencies contacted. The speaker said they had texts indicating threats but had not yet substantiated every allegation to avoid endangering residents.
City staff and the police chief were reported to have met with community members before the meeting to discuss the issue. The public comments combined calls for clearer enforcement of licensing rules, better avenues for tenants to present documentary evidence to police, and broader assistance from federal agencies.
After the public-comment discussion concluded, the body moved to a closed session for further consideration of matters raised during the meeting. The meeting record does not show a formal policy change or an immediate enforcement action; speakers primarily asked for follow-up, evidence collection, and outreach to residents.
