Jeff Council appeals trespass warning after George Kennedy Park contact

Jeff Council challenged a trespass warning issued after an officer contacted two people at George Kennedy Park on May 8, saying he did not receive a verbal warning and that he believes he is being targeted by neighbors.

Officer Hodges of the Edgewater Police Department testified that during extra patrols he observed a white Hummer-style vehicle with coverings and made contact with two subjects. Hodges said trespass warnings were written for both and that the other individual accepted his copy while Council did not. Hodges cited city ordinance section 10.208, which prohibits painting of vehicles in parks, as part of the reported violations.

Council told the magistrate he used the space for maintenance and painting on his vessel and disputed whether a verbal warning had been issued, asking whether the officer had specified a time on the warning. “A verbal warning was not issued,” the officer answered when pressed. Council asked to admit photos into the record to show the vehicle and the small boat involved; the magistrate permitted him to mark two photos as appellant’s Exhibits A and B.

The hearing did not resolve the appeal immediately; the magistrate said he will issue a written decision within five days that sets forth findings of fact and conclusions of law.