Winston Salem officials are apparently entering private homes to ?make sure things improve? on properties reported to be an eyesore.  And to get things moving, neighbors are encouraged to report problem properties to the city?s Neighborhood Services department:

Neighborhood Services conserves and improves the city’s existing housing stock, promotes the stabilization and revitalization of deteriorating and disadvantaged neighborhoods, and provides assistance in the planning and implementation of improvements a neighborhood may wish to undertake.

To summarize, D. Ritchie Brooks, Winston Salem?s Neighborhood Services has this to say, ?”We’re building up or tearing down in everything we do.  We welcome you to help in building a better community.”

Operation Impact is a division of Neighborhood Services where neighbors report neighbors and a team then ?visits? the home that has been reported.  When some homeowners have complained about city officials showing up and demanding entry to inspect their homes, police officers are then ?invited? to come along.  A recent WXII 12 report relays a Winston Salem city official explanation; ??we have had problems in the past with some owners refusing entry.?  Imagine that.

This is in light of House Bill 866, as reported earlier, that was signed into law on July 2, authorizing cities to condemn and demolish private homes they deem unsafe.   It should also shed additional light on other property right issues currently before the General Assembly.  Eminent domain concerns are not receiving the attention needed to keep government from seizing private property.  Legislation claiming to reform forced annexation laws does not protect homeowners from the strong arm of the League of Municipalities.  

And now that Winston Salem officials are apparently free to walk right into private homes in that city, surrounding area citizens have another reason to hope they aren?t annexed into the city limits.