PF: Police too powerful

Police power out of control or just business as usual? What I refer to is code enforcement in the city of Post Falls. In the last year or so, a dynamic duo of law enforcement officers, which I have named Batman and Robin, wannabe crime busters, have taken on the job of "cleaning up" Post Falls with a vengeance.

Now I realize that codes are on the books that dictate what one can and cannot do on or with their property, regardless of how vague, open to interpretation and ridiculous they are. This new level of Gestapo enforcement tactics are reminiscence of Nazi Germany and the Third Reich!

I am experiencing it firsthand with the issuances of citations, even after making every effort to comply. Yes, I realize that my property was in violation of the ordinances and I agreed to bring it into compliance within a reasonable time frame but that wasn't good enough for Batman and Robin. I was given 30 days or face more citations, and that I did even after making major improvements.

Not only was I given citations, three of them to date, but threatened with arrest and booking if I did not sign the first two citations. The only exception was the last one which I was told I did not need to sign. Now which is it, sign or face arrest, or don't sign?

I have appeared in court and requested a jury trial because of this ridiculous method of "enforcement tactics." With another hearing coming up shortly, I was offered a "deal" that would grant me another 60 days to bring everything into compliance but attached to those conditions was a $300 bond which I would forfeit. In plain English that is a fine! I refused this sham of an offer and look forward to a trial in which I can expose the type of "police power" being used against citizens, especially those that are working diligently toward compliance.

In the past several months I have placed numerous ads asking other citizens to join me and take a stand. Many have come forward and related similar stories to mine and there might be a possibility of a suit against the city.

Just looking around Post Falls near my property, I have identified numerous others that are not in compliance to these vaguely written ordinances and the majority of them have not even been approached by this duo of crime fighters! There is no doubt in my mind that the police have made this personal.

TIM HERZOG

Post Falls