Marie Redd, owner-operator of the Red Social Security Compensation Office, spoke during public comment at the Dec. 23 meeting to describe what she said were repeated crimes and public-health problems affecting her property and customers.

Redd said people had defecated on her property, left needles in her flowers and stolen copper from heat pumps; she also said she had been "stalked, cussed out" and that a dead body was once found beside her building. She told council she had called 911 and that officers had responded. "I've been stalked, cussed out. My property has been defecated on," Redd said. She asked the city to act and asked whether she should be compensated for property damage.

When council members moved to waive rules to extend her speaking time, the motion passed and Redd continued with details about damage and her efforts to document expenses and repairs. She said she would return to the council and to the press if the issue was not addressed.

Council members thanked Redd for speaking and a councilor noted the police response; the chair allowed the extended remarks under a rules waiver. The council took no direct vote to create a new program or a compensation fund at the meeting; Redd's comments were entered into the public record for follow-up by relevant departments.