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Yeadon business owner says she’s been targeted by competitors; council offers code enforcement and mediation
Summary
Romaya Harris, a business owner on the 700 block of Church Lane in Yeadon, told council she believes rival businesses have dumped mattresses and clothing near her store, filed unfounded complaints and pressed unequal code enforcement; she said a judge dismissed earlier charges against her.
At the borough’s citizens forum, Romaya Harris told Yeadon Borough Council she believes she has been subjected to a pattern of targeted harassment by neighboring businesses on the 700 block of Church Lane.
"I believe I'm being targeted and harassed by competing business interests," Harris said, describing incidents in which large items — including a king-size mattress — were left in front of her storefront and photographs were used to imply she was littering. She said individuals also left clothes behind her property and that in a February 14 incident a customer from another business behaved aggressively and intimidated her minor child; she said she had photos and a recording.
Harris said she was forced to go to district court on one of the complaints and that District Judge Keith Williams dismissed the charges. She urged the council to ensure consistent enforcement by code officials and to inspect alleys behind establishments that she said are filled with trash and potholes that impede emergency vehicles.
Councilors thanked Harris for raising the concerns and reminded her the manager had suggested a meeting with the code department; Council President said staff would continue those conversations and follow up with Yeadon code enforcement. The manager and council also referenced possible introductions to the Yeadon Economic Development Corporation and the planning commission to discuss support and mediation.
Next steps: council members asked staff to meet with Harris and the code director for follow-up; council invited further documentation and public comment and said the code department would investigate enforcement parity across properties in the block.
