You know, like in her own home. Her domicile. Her property
(The Blaze) Jennifer Stahl has been a strong advocate against the smart meter program in Naperville, Ill., for the last two years. The issue came to a head Wednesday afternoon when she was arrested while refusing to let the utility workers install the controversial device.
“I was protecting my property,†Stahl said in an interview with TheBlaze Thursday afternoon. “I felt my emotion was like a momma bear protecting her babies.â€
Stahl was at a friend’s house when she received the call from her husband that the utility workers had arrived. She was home within 15 minutes and saw they were at a neighbor’s house. Her neighbors were not home, but they had signs stating they did not permit the new meter to be installed.
Stahl said she waited on her porch for the workers to arrive at her house. When they did, she refused them access to her backyard through her locked gate. The police — including the police supervisor, a sergeant — were called. Stahl said the sergeant explained the workers had authorization to access the meter, but Stahl stood her ground saying she didn’t approve it. The sergeant continued to try and convince Stahl to comply and said if she didn’t, he’d arrest her.
And how did the city respond? They cut the lock to her fence. And when she wouldn’t move away, they arrested her. For refusing access to her own property. Which they had no warrant for. But, hey, who needs a warrant?
“The city has always had and maintains the right to access our equipment, and today we were simply exercising that right,†City Manager Doug Kreiger told the Chicago Tribune, which reported Wednesday’s events.
So, the city now has a right to come on to a homeowners property at any point, regardless of the wishes of the homeowner, without a warrant, to install something the property owner does not want?
BTW, a second person was arrested for the same thing Wednesday.
You might be saying “what’s the problem with smart meters?” You might want to read this. Though, I will say that the part about health issues might perhaps be a bit overblown, especially considering the post mentions cell phones causing brain tumors, which has not been medically confirmed.
