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Anonymous zoning inspector harassed by Ohio residents

Jun 11, 2011 Brian Bradley

Anonymous zoning inspector harassed by Ohio residents
Zoning inspectors are given the duty of maintainig the property values of residential areas. Health hazards such as trash on a homeowner's lawn or overgrown and occasionally poisonous weeds can threaten the integrity of a community.
 Liverpool, Ohio, zoning inspector Ron Givens attempts to carry out these values and communicate effectively with the city. However, he lacks any sort of employment identity verification, which has made it difficult for him to enforce necessary violations. According to The Review, there have already been multiple reported incidents involving residents were harassing Givens, or vice versa. "I think it's very important he has an ID," Charlie Burgess, Liverpool Township police chief, tells the media outlet. "He has been threatened verbally and physically. We are requesting assistance from the township for the ID badge and police presence." At a recent board of trustees meeting, members of the zoning commission campaigned for Givens to receive a badge as soon as possible. One trustee, Steve Betteridge, explains to the news source that board members had ordered one from a vendor but the delivery process had been delayed due to a mechanical problem.