ODESSA, Texas – A 27‑year‑old single mother reported that Odessa City Councilman Eddie Mitchell knocked on her front door on the Sunday morning after Halloween, demanding to know whose truck was parked in front of her house. The resident says Mitchell threatened to have the vehicle towed before identifying himself as a council member.
What the resident says
According to the resident, she was awakened by banging at the door around 9 a.m. When she asked who was there, an unfamiliar man asked about a visitor’s truck. He repeated, “Is that your truck?” and warned, “I’m about to tow your truck,” before she could open the door. The exchange was captured on video.
After the confrontation, the man identified himself as Councilman Eddie Mitchell of District 1. The resident says Mitchell appeared visibly offended that she did not recognize him. “He could’ve just approached me as a neighbor, and he chose not to. He chose to pull the council member card, not the neighbor card,” she said.
Reason for the visit
Mitchell told the resident he was in the neighborhood to address a trash complaint that had been reported a week earlier. The resident, however, says she had already resolved the issue with her landlord days before the councilman’s arrival. She questioned why the councilman began the conversation with a vehicle threat rather than the stated trash concern.
“Why did he not start with that? Instead he approached me about a vehicle, threatened to have it towed, and only afterward continued to insist that his visit was about the trash,” she said. “There’s a due process, and it’s not threatening me that if I don’t be quiet then you’re going to tow the truck.”
Resident’s response and next steps
The mother filed a report with the Odessa Police Department, hoping the incident will be investigated. She explained that she has worked to overcome past mistakes, is pursuing her education, and now lives in “constant fear of retaliation.”
“The consequences didn’t end when he left my property. We are just at the beginning. I was perfectly comfortable in my home, no intention of relocating, no reason to question my security there. I am considering moving because that sense of security has been taken from me,” she said.
She asked whether the city backs the councilman’s actions or is willing to admit an error, and she plans to raise the matter at the next Odessa City Council meeting scheduled for November 17.
City’s response
The city of Odessa and each council member, including Mitchell, were contacted for comment. No response had been received at the time of publication.
This incident highlights concerns from residents about how elected officials engage with constituents on routine neighborhood issues. It also underscores the importance of clear communication and respect for private property when city officials conduct door‑to‑door outreach.
Background on council member
Eddie Mitchell represents District 1 on the Odessa City Council. Council members are responsible for addressing local concerns such as trash collection, code enforcement, and public safety, and they often meet with residents to gather input on city services.
Residents who feel their rights have been infringed are encouraged to file formal complaints with the police or the city’s ethics office, and they may also bring concerns directly to council meetings, which are open to the public.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
