"Impeccable" retired firefighter shoots up AT&T trucks parked in front of his house

Apparently AT&T workers have been under attack. When I saw the post I thought it was related to other stories I've read.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business...-violent-slaying-waco-technician-service-call

The utilities have right of way which means the property owner has to give access but it's supposed to be related to what they are working on. And if they damage anything they must pay. The techs should've asked permission first, if denied access they should've called a supervisor. The tech also could've called the police when violence became apparent.
 
Well, this guy has definitely taken his comfortable retirement lifestyle for granted. Now, he will likely spend some quality time being evaluated, while residing in a padded safety cell:

Jail-Safety-Padding-Wall-to-Floor-Vent.jpg


That rectangular hole in the floor is the only "restroom" amenity that a safety cell has.
 
WhatInThe said:
Apparently AT&T workers have been under attack. When I saw the post I thought it was related to other stories I've read.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business...-violent-slaying-waco-technician-service-call

The utilities have right of way which means the property owner has to give access but it's supposed to be related to what they are working on. And if they damage anything they must pay. The techs should've asked permission first, if denied access they should've called a supervisor. The tech also could've called the police when violence became apparent.
Click to expand...

Working for over 40 years in the municipal engineering and construction industry, respectfully, I would like to clarify. I do understand that easement laws may vary slightly from State to State. However, building projects in 5 states... and being heavily involved in easement law in all five... I found little difference.

Utility companies and government entities can negotiate easements on or across private properties. If a property owner denies such an easement, there are court proceedings that can be held to legally force such easements. If we did not have easement condemnation and/or purchase available, we would have no sewer lines, water lines, fiber optics, roads, bridges, etc. Once the easement has been established and properly recorded on the property deed or title, access to that easement by the utility or municipality is guaranteed for maintenance of their infrastructure. And, in most cases, any consequential damage to property in that easement does NOT have to be repaired/replaced by the utility. (In almost all cases any damage is repaired or replaced for the benefit of customer relations.)

In the case referenced in the original post, the AT&T trucks were sitting in or along the street... working on their equipment in the utility easement. The workers had NO responsibility to alert/notify the property owner before initiating work. Were the work to involve shutting off water or putting the sewer out of commission for a period of time, notice is most generally given days in advance unless it is an emergency repair. When the maintenance is on a utility such as phone, cable, etc. no notice of access generally given.

Certain situations can find a contractor and the utility in conflict... with the homeowner caught between. Some years ago, we advised a homeowner we would be cutting through his driveway with a new sewer line. We promised him the driveway would be repaired to a state as good as or better than it was before we arrived. (That is the common approach when cutting through private property even in an easement.) The City we were working in had a political issue with the homeowner. Seems he was a "regular" at City Council meetings arguing with the Council. The City told us we were NOT to replace his drive as it was in an easement. I directed the contractor to move forward with what we had promised the homeowner and we replace almost the entire drive. The money was in the contract to do so. There was no justification in causing agitation and hard feelings with a gentleman who had no control over our egress through his property.

I could also relate a story about a homeowner who threatened one of my contractors' equipment operators with a high power rifle. But, I've typed too long now.

This property owner who fired on the AT&T workers should suffer quick and hard consequences. He damaged property and endangered human life by his illegal actions. So much of this angst is caused by far right wing, anti-government groups who espouse "sovereign ownership" of property.
 
The video shows the trucks on the street, not his property maybe a portion of the curbline, the only complaint he had was one of the truck was blocking a driveway. Depending on locale the no blocking driveway or things like parking in front of plug are enforced no matter who. If he had to get out in emergency he probably could've convinced to move right there and then or being ex fire probably could've had the local police out there relatively quick. The techs were working on what looked like existing plant on public property so I not quite sure what his actual beef was other than the driveway.
 
He says he "went bananas" because he feared the trucks would damage his pavers.

It appears he might have taken aim at the worker in the bucket too.

The man who shot at parked AT&T trucks told police he went ‘bananas’

By Carli Teproff
cteproff@miamiherald.com

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/loc...e/hialeah/article162808923.html#storylink=cpy

The man who shot out the tires of two AT&T trucks after getting upset they were parked in front of his Hialeah home told police he went “bananas,” according to a report released Thursday. Jorge Jove, 64, now faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and armed criminal mischief. He posted a $30,000 bond and was released early Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, the two trucks were parked in front of Jove’s home at 620 SE Fifth Place when Jove came outside with a gun — which according to the report he did not have a permit for — and began shooting. Cell phone video rolled, capturing the sound of the gun blasts and the air coming out of the tires. Meanwhile, a worker could be heard reporting the shooting to a police dispatcher.

According to Jove’s report, Jove was upset “because the trucks were parked in front of his driveway, and he feared damage to his pavers.”

About an hour after “having words” with one of the workers, Jove came out with his .357 revolver and caused over $1,000 of damage to the trucks, an officer wrote in the report. A Hialeah sergeant who responded to the shooting said he saw Jove fire at an AT&T worker in a raised bucket lift. After being told to put his weapon down, Jove dropped it on the swale, according to the report.

“After waiving his Miranda Rights the defendant furnished a statement stating he went ‘bananas’ and wanted to stop them from leaving,” the officer wrote in the report. “He shot at tires and truck to [get] the AT&T workers from leaving prior to police arrival.”

Hialeah police say Jorge Jove didn’t like the AT&T trucks parked in front of his home, so he began shooting at their tires and their engine.
Click to expand...
 
Warrigal said:
He says he "went bananas" because he feared the trucks would damage his pavers.

It appears he might have taken aim at the worker in the bucket too.
Click to expand...

He could've had the damage repaired or been reimbursed for any damages without a court case. Most utilities have people to handle property damage claims, they don't necessarily default to insurance payouts.

The utilities are responsible for damage to private property. Although they must be given access that does not include right to damage. I had contractors for the electric company come into our backyard and others to work on their lines. They left the lawn looking like the moon or a quarry. We got over a 1/2 day of 'free' landscaping to repair their damage. The frustrating thing is they came back there without notice and were boxed in as were many in the neighborhood. The next time they had a project in people's backyard's a few years later they sent out letters, followed up by postcards and visits stating when they would need to access the property. And were very careful and selective with their use & parking of bucket trucks on the lawns.
 

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