If only we lived in a world where our property was our business and our business only — life would be less complicated, we could do as we please and live how we want to live.

For the most part, we can live as we want to live and have only ourselves to answer to.

Problem is, when things become unwieldy, when the grass becomes too high, the trash in the yard too much, it begins to affect our neighbors and laws give our neighbors that protection.

What city code enforcement officer Walter Johnson was doing Tuesday was protecting the rights of neighbors when he went to follow-up on a complaint at 2100 Roanoke Avenue.

What happened to him goes beyond the issue of property owner sanctity, it goes where it rightly went when he was beaten — through the judicial system.

I have known Walter long before he was ever an employee of the city of Roanoke Rapids. We were classmates, graduated high school together and since then have gone on our separate career paths and have socialized on occasion since then.

In our high school world, our group was neither the cool kids nor the nerds; it was neither the jocks nor the bookworms. We were average Hertford County kids born to hardworking parents who caused little trouble for our parents or school administrators.

Since his time working for the city Walter has done his job as a standup professional, by the book, by the letter and by the spirit of the code.

That’s why I don’t buy William Roundtree’s version of what happened Tuesday, don’t think Walter provoked him and truly don’t believe he trod on Roundtree’s property.

Even if he had stepped foot on Roundtree’s property he was within his right to do so because of a March 5 notice that Roundtree was breaking Chapter 96 of the public nuisance code.

I would agree that the city has probably not dealt with nuisance property as even-handedly as it should. The recent flap over David King’s property is testament to that when there are other properties in just as bad or worse condition than his.

When complaints do arise, I believe the city responds and usually responds well.

What happened to Johnson Tuesday was uncalled for, made no sense and demands as thorough and fair justice as the court system can hand out.

Code enforcement officers don’t have the advantage of weapons like police officers do and protocol requires when they do have to go on property they ask for an officer to assist them.

That’s why I highly doubt Walter stepped on the man’s property even though in his capacity he had every right to.

I understand the sanctity of property. I also understand like anything else it can be abused and become a breeding ground for vermin, mosquitoes and other pests.

That’s when the city steps in, to protect neighbors and bring things back to normal through enforcement actions.

Roundtree had taken care of some of the problems addressed in the letter from the city and all Johnson was doing was checking on his progress, something he is allowed by law to do.

To be beaten for doing his job is a crying shame and I believe while this matter is ongoing, other visits to check on Roundtree’s progress in his cleanup efforts should be done in the company of law enforcement.

While Roundtree has apparently had problems with the city in the past it doesn’t excuse his alleged actions on Tuesday and if he is found guilty of the charges filed against him, part of his punishment should be to offer Johnson and the city a heartfelt apology for his actions and to keep his property in good enough condition so something like this will never happen again.

I also hope any thought of further retaliation on Roundtree’s part will be dismissed and he will peacefully interact with code officials in the future.

Private property is a sacred trust and owning it doesn’t give anyone license to do things that are going to interfere or encroach on the rights of neighbors to enjoy their property. There is a balance in this and on Tuesday the balance was destroyed — Lance Martin