Charlotte County couple face backlash against security measures targeting intruders| Local News

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida – In Charlotte County, a couple had so many people entering their property that they had to put up a fence and a camera. Waste and hazardous materials have become too numerous.

Now they are facing backlash for their security measures because of a Facebook post. A new neighbor wonders if the camera and the extended fence are legal.

While the camera’s position is uncertain under a county bridge, the owners said the actions taking place there are also uncertain.

Thai Christie and his wife have lived along the peaceful Sunrise Waterway for six years.

“Since the bridge was erected we have had a lot of trespassing on our property,” said Thai Christie.

At all hours of the day and night, Christie hears music, parties and fishing. These things are not allowed on what is called a designated bridge according to the county code.

“Essentially, they don’t want you to do things on a bridge other than just cross it in a vehicle or as a pedestrian,” said Public Works Director John Elias. “We don’t want people to hang on to them, play with them, jump on them, fish them.”

After years of dealing with broken glass, needles, and random visitors in the backyard, the Christies have asked for help.

“We have requested permission from the county so we are able to extend the fence to the bridge,” Christie said.

They extended their fence and set up a camera.

“We’ve probably been taking the camera out for almost two years,” Christie said. “Since the camera was turned on, we’ve really seen the number of incidents drop by at least 90 percent.”

This camera is in question because of a post on Facebook. A man claims Mrs Christie tried to chase him away for fishing under the bridge. Neighbor Ibelice Young defends her friends.

“It’s not fair to them that they can’t be comfortable in their own backyard and have to put up so many security cameras just to figure out who is going there and what they’re doing.” Young said.

In a written response to the Facebook poster, Lexi Christie said:

“We never said a word to someone who was just fishing. BUT it was never JUST fishing!

So all I’m asking for is a little humanity. If you can’t empathize, please let us be. The fence and the cameras are there for a reason.

The county said the Christies have every right to have a camera, however they will need to see how it is repaired to see if the location is cleared.