Texas City – A woman faces having a lien placed on her north Texas City property if she doesn’t clean her yard, an extraordinary move for the city, a housing authority official said.

Vicki Sue Smith, 53, was arrested Tuesday after police received a call from Community Services Director George Fuller that the woman had not complied with several requests to clean up her property and had not restrained several dogs.

Smith was arrested on outstanding warrants, including not having a driver’s license or proof of insurance, having an expired auto registration and having turned off her city water service, police said.

City officials told Smith on Tuesday she had 30 days to clean up her property or the city of would do it and put a legal lien on her house for the labor costs, Fuller said.

Fuller said he received complaints from neighbors about Smith’s dogs, furniture on her driveway and 4-foot-tall grass.

Police Sgt. Curtiss Pope said Smith was also issued citations for not having water service and for rodent infestation.

Galveston County Animal Services took five puppies from Smith’s property Wednesday and planned to take another dog Thursday, said Kurt Koopmann, county health district spokesman.

“This is the worst house in the town,” Fuller said. “She has received letters and been to municipal court several times. It’s not fair to neighbors in the neighborhood.” .

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211 or 409.392.0007
kkoopman@gchd.org