Low Lake Levels Causing Trespass Problems For Homeowners
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: May 24, 2012
It's apparent few have read the sign.
It's also apparent that homeowners along the Fort Phantom Hill Lake area have had some unwanted guests.
"You wouldn't wish this on anybody that you have people just voluntarily show up- no more than you'd want them in your yard to just all of a sudden pitch a tent and start picnicking," said Faith Gage, a resident at Fort Phantom Hill Lake.
Gage is the president of the Fort Phantom Hill Lake Association and has received numerous complaints of trespassers making their way onto homeowners property.
"Consequently a lot of trash and garbage ends up in areas," said Gage.
The 30 year resident says the lower lake levels has made it easier for cars to go into areas beyond the designated public zones.
Tia Davis says the long weekends are the ones she dreads the most.
"Cause were the ones left to clean up their trash, or we try to go to bed and the music's still being played," said Davis.
She's had trucks drive through her yard to get to the lake behind her home.
She and her husband have purchased signs to hang up to make sure people know its not a public alley.
"I mean it was like 15 people that were just in our yard," said Davis.
The park has two patrols that monitor the area, but its not always enough.
"It's hard for them to regulate and be at everybody's house at one time," said Davis.
Says they've worked with the city of Abilene to make improvements to the public areas so guests will want to stay there.
They don't mind people using the lake, they just don't want them in their homes.
"People just need to be respectful of other peoples homes and realize that the homes out here they're not just little weekend cabins, people ,live out here year round," said Gage.
It's also apparent that homeowners along the Fort Phantom Hill Lake area have had some unwanted guests.
"You wouldn't wish this on anybody that you have people just voluntarily show up- no more than you'd want them in your yard to just all of a sudden pitch a tent and start picnicking," said Faith Gage, a resident at Fort Phantom Hill Lake.
Gage is the president of the Fort Phantom Hill Lake Association and has received numerous complaints of trespassers making their way onto homeowners property.
"Consequently a lot of trash and garbage ends up in areas," said Gage.
The 30 year resident says the lower lake levels has made it easier for cars to go into areas beyond the designated public zones.
Tia Davis says the long weekends are the ones she dreads the most.
"Cause were the ones left to clean up their trash, or we try to go to bed and the music's still being played," said Davis.
She's had trucks drive through her yard to get to the lake behind her home.
She and her husband have purchased signs to hang up to make sure people know its not a public alley.
"I mean it was like 15 people that were just in our yard," said Davis.
The park has two patrols that monitor the area, but its not always enough.
"It's hard for them to regulate and be at everybody's house at one time," said Davis.
Says they've worked with the city of Abilene to make improvements to the public areas so guests will want to stay there.
They don't mind people using the lake, they just don't want them in their homes.
"People just need to be respectful of other peoples homes and realize that the homes out here they're not just little weekend cabins, people ,live out here year round," said Gage.
