Utilities should notify homeowners before workers show up

Metro Creative Connection

OPINION — Recently, two different men have attempted to access my backyard without notification or identification — either for their company or their own personal ID.

Pictures of the first individual were posted to a Sun City Facebook page by others who encountered him. When we questioned him, he said fiber optic cable is being installed in our neighborhood and he needed access to our backyard to mark existing utility and cable lines.

When we asked him for identification, he replied, “I must have left it in my truck.” When I asked him where the work was happening, he said the company was working on Thunderbird near Camelot Circle but would be coming down our street soon.

After we refused him entry (during which he threatened that we would have to pay for any damages incurred), we drove to Thunderbird then down 111th Avenue and found no sign of any crew working.

According to others, he also refused to identify himself to them. One neighbor even contacted the company he purported to represent and was told the company had no one working in our neighborhood.

On Feb. 17, a man arrived at my door requesting access to my backyard — again with no identification. I told him that without notification of the need for access from his company that I was refusing him access. He left and tried the same thing with our neighbors.

If the marking of my backyard is actually needed, all I ask for is formal notification with details such as when would access be needed, the name of the company who would be requesting that access, identification be shown by their employees, when the work would be performed and a contact number should I have any questions or concerns.

Apparently, being informed of a possible inconvenience is too much to ask.

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