Neatness cops menace Florida town

December 3, 1:23 PMCivil Liberties ExaminerJ.D. Tuccille

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Government officials tasked with making sure you keep your living room and kitchen spiffy? Really?

Really.

Could somebody explain to me how this insane bit of nanny-state news from the St. Petersburg Times about a proposed neatness ordinance in Kenneth City, Florida, could possibly be a good idea?

In what was estimated to be the largest crowd to ever attend a Kenneth City Council meeting, an outraged group of residents railed at the proposal that would regulate the upkeep of both the exterior and interior of all property in the town.

The proposal basically sets standards for upkeep and appearance and gives town officials the right to enter homes. If the owner refuses to allow the official to enter, the town can go to a judge for an "administrative search warrant" to allow access to the interior of buildings. Violations would cost up to $250 a day.

As disturbing as it is that this ordinance is proposed in Kenneth City, what's worse is that the Times reports "the ordinance is a virtual copy of others in places like Fort Walton Beach and Belleair Beach."

So this abomination, permitting government officials to enter private homes at will to see if they're neat enough, is already on the books in some places in the United States?

I'm surprised I missed the news reports about the mobs descending with shotguns and torches on city hall. I mean, there was a mob, right?

Right?

Contact J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com