Residents in Northland, Kansas City, are expressing alarm over the presence of unidentified utility workers in their neighborhoods. The situation has left many homeowners questioning the legitimacy and purpose of these workers, who seem to be contracted by various utility companies. The concern began when Josh Smith, a resident of Country Gardens, noticed workers dressed in utility gear roaming around his property. Perplexed, Smith reached out to his neighbors for more information. Michelle W. and Vicki Murray confirmed seeing the workers, but their purpose remained unknown.
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| mystery workers spotted on the side of a house |
Alisha Blackwelder, another resident of Country Gardens, decided to check her home security camera footage to see if the workers had visited her property as well. To her surprise, the footage revealed one of the workers entering her backyard without leaving any notice or explanation.
Speculation about the workers' identity and purpose ran rampant among the concerned residents. Some suggested they could be tree trimmers contracted by Evergy, while others speculated they might be cable or fiber contractors. However, residents pointed out that neither the gas, electric, nor water departments had any knowledge of crew visits to the area. Suggestions poured in from community members, with some advising residents to ask the workers directly about their activities. Others recommended calling the local authorities, such as the police or 311 at KC, to report suspicious activity and seek clarification on the workers' legitimacy.
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| mystery workers taking a break |
Amidst the uncertainty, residents shared their experiences with similar encounters. Denise Wheeler and Donna Ozuna mentioned instances where workers performed utility-related tasks without prior notice or consent. However, opinions varied on the extent of workers' rights to access private property, with Chad Kerns emphasizing that their activities should be limited to established right-of-ways. As the discussion unfolded, Ann Maucelli McNelly expressed her frustration, stating that since all utilities in her area were underground, there should be no need for workers to enter her backyard or trim trees. Others urged caution and vigilance while acknowledging the potential necessity of these workers' presence.
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| Picture was snapped by a residents' security cam as mystery worker knocked on door. Resident was too alarmed to answer the door. |
My Gladstone reached out to the cities of Liberty, Kansas City and Gladstone. According to their reps, if you contact the utility companies and they deny having workers in the area, but you still see workers claiming to be from the company, both statements are likely true. We were told that these workers were likely contracted by the utility companies to handle tasks that were previously done by employees. The utility companies may not always be aware of the specific locations where their contractors are working on smaller projects, but they would be aware of larger ones.
Kelly Nestelroad from Kansas City, KS shared a personal experience related to workers claiming to be from the government. In one instance, Kelly noticed a red beam of light moving across her wall shortly after moving into a new place. On another occasion, workers in a white truck with out-of-state license plates claimed to be from Google Fiber, but Kelly suspected something was amiss. She called Google Fiber and discovered they didn't send workers at such late hours. The workers were seen installing a camera on a telephone pole in a neighbor's yard. Kelly contacted the police, who merely observed from their patrol car until the workers finished and left. Kelly also reached out to BPU (Board of Public Utilities) but received no response. This experience raised concerns about the legitimacy and actions of these workers. The mystery surrounding these utility workers continues to unsettle Northland residents, highlighting the need for clear communication and transparency from utility companies regarding contracted workers' activities. Concerned homeowners are left grappling with questions about their privacy, safety, and the potential risks associated with unauthorized access to their properties.
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