Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident tells council she fears for family safety, urges code and police review
Summary
At the June 15 meeting a resident described repeated trespass, threats and property damage from occupants next door and urged borough review of occupancy, code and public-safety options; police and staff said incidents should be reported and the Public Safety committee and code/health departments can review remedies.
A resident told the Emmaus Borough Council on June 15 that her family has experienced a year-long pattern of trespassing, property damage and threats from occupants of an adjacent rental property and asked the borough to investigate occupancy, maintenance and public-safety measures.
"I no longer feel safe on my own property," Melissa Ballas said, summarizing incidents she said were documented on video, called to police and reported to borough staff. Ballas said children from the neighboring property repeatedly entered her yard, damaged plants and vehicles, and that an adult was recorded brandishing a large knife while shouting in the alley.
Ballas said she and her partner have installed cameras, provided video to police, and filed repeated reports. "I respectfully ask for your help before the situation escalates further," she told council.
Staff and councilors responded that many of the incidents are police matters and encouraged continued reporting to law enforcement; they also said code enforcement and health and sanitation staff could review possible property-maintenance or occupancy violations and that the Public Safety committee can examine options and bring recommendations back to council. Borough staff said they would accept other neighbors’ complaints in writing and bring consolidated concerns to the committee for consideration.
Why it matters: the complaint raises public-safety and code-enforcement questions tied to rental property management and the borough’s authority to act on occupancy or maintenance issues. Council members noted the limits of municipal authority in criminal matters and encouraged residents to continue working with police while the borough explores administrative remedies.
Next steps: council directed staff to forward the matter to the Public Safety committee and to health and sanitation/code staff for review; residents were told to continue to document incidents and call police when there is immediate threat.
