Mississippi County code officer told to not trespass

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Mississippi County's code enforcement officer may need to write up violations from the street.

Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore said during Thursday's county commission meeting he has received several calls from county residents asking if Ken Stevenson, county code enforcement officer, is allowed to come onto their property.

Moore said Stevenson is not permitted to walk around on property without consent to take photographs, which could be considered trespassing, but is permitted to walk onto property in an attempt to make contact with a resident.

"Certainly if they say 'get off my property,' you don't ever go back on it again," said Carlin Bennett, presiding county commissioner.

Bennett advised Stevenson that even if he is asked by a child to get off property he should do so immediately.

"Don't argue with anybody; don't linger," he said.

County officials agreed that taking photographs from public property such as the roadway is certainly legal.

Stevenson said he should also be able to take photos from an adjacent property if given permission by that property's owner, but Moore said he might then be contacted for a complaint about "spying."

In related business, Stevenson reported a couple cases of properties that were out of compliance with the county's nuisance ordinance have been cleaned up so the cases have been closed.

Pertinent address:

Charleston, Mo.