An eviction yesterday (3.12.19) left quite a mess at 4134 Canada Road this morning, with clothing, furniture and household items strewn over the residential yard and blowing beyond the property lines.
The 3,800 square-foot, four bedroom/three bath home was previously owned by Heather and Jeremy Morrow but was purchased by Worldwide Property Hub LLC Feb. 7th for $185,446. It was bought at auction resulting from foreclosure.
Metal items which could be recycled were removed from the front yard this morning with a dumpster expected on site for removal of the rest of the debris, according to Sophia Smith, property manager for Worldwide Property, an East Memphis property management company.
Commissioner Wesley Wright was on scene of the eviction this morning. “Situations like what just happened on Canada Road should not be occurring. Debris and trash of such a large amount on a lawn is inexcusable and we need to have measures in place to avoid it,” Mr. Wright said. “I just had a conversation at City Hall with our city manager as well as some other personnel. There are some ordinances we are going to refine and make more effective and we will introduce some new measures.”
Shane Horn, city manager for Lakeland, said there was small pile of items in the front yard last week and the new property owner was given information on the bulk waste program operated by the City. Mr. Horn said the issue and debris blew up in the last couple of days.
Mr. Horn explained that homeowners can contact City Code Enforcement and John Highsmith if they see suspicious activity at an address or discarded belongings on the property. Mr. Highsmith can be reached at 867-5404 or City Hall, 867-2717. Reports can be made anonymously, said Mr. Horn.
Lakeland Code Enforcement
John Highsmith
867-5404
Reports can be anonymous
“If homeowners see anything, please let us know,” said Mr. Horn. “We will not send out employees to private property without a court order and (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) deputies,” he said.
Mr. Horn added the City doesn’t want accumulated debris on property. “It appears people were stopping by the property salvaging and made more of a mess,” he said. “It’s not a good situation in your community.”
Ms. Smith said the owners were in Shelby County court Feb. 21st and were told they had to vacate the property. The owners were to be back in court Feb. 28th but did not show. “I spoke with her. She knew the rules,” said Ms. Smith. They were to vacate in 10 days, according to Ms. Smith. “I’ve never seen a house like that. There was so much stuff.”
The house is to be rehabbed and sold, said Ms. Smith, or rented if it cannot be sold.
Mr. Horn said Worldwide Properties owns a handful of properties in Lakeland.
It is believed there have been four other evictions in Lakeland in the last year, but Mr. Horn could not confirm the number.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
