messy yard cops want to be unaccountable for their actions. im sorry john, i should have said messy yard nazi pigs want to be un-accountable for their actions! Original Article Bill offers inspectors protection of privacy Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor The Arizona Republic Feb. 7, 2006 12:00 AM Cities across Arizona, including Phoenix, Glendale and Goodyear, are backing a state bill that would block public access to code-enforcement officers' home addresses and telephone numbers to protect them from disgruntled residents. The bill, which could be heard by the House of Representatives as early as next week, would give the nearly 500 code officers in Arizona the same protection state law gives peace officers, judges, justices, commissioners, public defenders and prosecutors. Code inspectors are on the front lines of neighborhood preservation, making sure homeowners comply with city codes aimed at keeping properties free of blight, such as overgrown weeds and grass, junk cars or litter. "I think it's a good start," said Victor Harris, one of Phoenix's 65 code-enforcement officers. "I think it would be another good layer to protect me and my family from people that potentially would want to do us harm." City officials say some residents are using public records to track down information on the code officers, showing up to their homes and confronting them and their families. There have been at least 12 such incidents in recent years. One case involved an inspector narrowly escaping injury when a resident tried to run him down with a semi. In another case, an inspector and resident got into a fight after the resident showed up at the inspector's home and threatened his family. Some lawmakers questioned why a state law should be created in reaction to dozen incidents of harassment in Phoenix, especially since the city resolved more than 40,000 code cases in a 12-month period. "I wasn't convinced there was this need for that cloak of privacy," said Ted Downing, D-Tucson. He voted against the bill at the subcommittee level. "It didn't seem to rise to the same level as a Superior Court judge." He said there were laws in place to deal with the types of threats inspectors might encounter. Rep. John Nelson, R-Glendale, sponsored the bill and could not be reached for comment. Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton testified in support of the bill last week before the House Government Reform and Government Finance Accountability Committee. "The question isn't 'Does this happen all the time?' " Stanton said. "The question is 'Do you think that code-enforcement officers warrant protection?' " Goodyear code compliance manager Gail Bosgieter said protection is vital because code officers are often the ones who first make contact with residents who might be involved in violations. illegal activity. Bosgieter is the first vice president of both the American Association of Code Enforcement and the Code Enforcement League of Arizona. Between 1994 and 1997, more than 10,000 code inspectors across the nation were assaulted and more than 70 were killed while on the job, according to the code-enforcement association.