Neighborhood dysfunction causes problems in normally peaceful Waverly Heights

Accusations of unleashed dogs roaming the streets, people owning too many horses and neighbors making death threats are only some of the troubles that brought residents of the Waverly Heights community to the City Council to ask for help.

During public speaker time, resident Barbara Kloster described her neighborhood, near the equestrian center off Avenida de Las Flores, as being under siege. The problems were ruining families' lives, police were responding more slowly and animal control officers were reluctant to come out because they get so many calls that waste their time, she said.

Another Waverly Heights resident, Bob McQuaid, said his wife and daughter have left town to get away from alleged threats that forced them to obtain a restraining order against their neighbors. Before his family departed, he said, his daughter had nightmares and was afraid to sleep in her own room.

He accused other neighbors of threatening his family with harm.

"I don't know why my family was singled out," McQuaid said.

Mayor Jacqui Irwin noted that eight written statement cards supported the comments of McQuaid and Kloster.

Councilmember Dennis Gillette assured McQuaid that two incidents the family reported to police were currently under investigation as criminal complaints at the district attorney's office. Gillette also said that civil action could be taken by residents if they find that the incidents fall between normal behavior and criminal acts that can be enforced by police officers.

Resident Michile Kendig said there are "provocateurs" in Waverly Heights who are affecting peace in the community, at the horse park and on its riding trails.

"Safety and peace in our parks can only be guaranteed if laws already in place are adhered to and respected," she said. "There is no legal reason for unleashed dogs to be roaming the riding trails," she said.

She explained how roaming dogs can frighten horses and possibly cause injury to equestrians.

After the council meeting, Police Chief Dennis Carpenter said neighborhood disputes aren't uncommon and police officers who are experienced in resolving the situation and preventing escalation are assigned to work with neighbors.

"Sometimes people call the animal control on another resident because they have too many animals and forget to look behind them and see that they also have too many animals," Carpenter said.