A 65-year-old woman in Florida has landed in jail after threatening a cable company worker who was installing fiber-optic equipment in her yard. The woman, clearly upset about the work being done on her property, made several violent threats—including threatening to shoot the worker—prompting police to intervene.
Cable Worker Threatened Over Fiber Installation
According to police in Port St. Lucie, a city about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, the incident happened when a cable company worker arrived at the home of Charmaine Borger. He was there to install a concrete fiber-optic box in an underground easement area—a legal stretch of land that utility companies can access for infrastructure work.
Borger, however, was not happy. As per the police report, she became aggressive when the worker couldn’t provide her a physical copy of the permit. Although he showed her the permit on paper, she insisted on keeping it, which he refused. That’s when things allegedly took a violent turn.
“Don’t Play With Me”—Alleged Threats Escalate
Borger reportedly told the worker, “Don’t play with me, I’ll go get my axe and chop you.” Shocked by the threat, the worker called police immediately. While waiting for the police to arrive, Borger allegedly made more dangerous remarks, including threats to shoot him.
According to the affidavit, she said things like:
“You better leave, I do have a gun.”
“If you don’t leave, you’re a dead man.”
“I’ll go get my gun and shoot you. This is my land!”
A witness nearby also confirmed hearing Borger yelling and using offensive language. She even started recording the encounter. At one point, the witness claimed Borger pointed to the hole being dug and said, “If I was to put a bomb in here, I can.” The worker, trying to stay calm, replied that she could not do that, which made Borger even angrier.
Why Was She So Upset?
When police questioned Borger, she said she didn’t know about the installation beforehand and was frustrated that a cable company she doesn’t even use was digging in her yard. She was also worried that the underground work might be unsafe or dangerous, as she wasn’t told what exactly was being installed.
Despite her concerns, threatening violence is a serious offence. She was arrested and is now facing charges of simple assault (threatening violence) and resisting arrest without violence.
What Happens Next
Borger is currently in jail with a bond set at $750. She may be released if she posts the bond, but she will still have to appear in court to face the charges. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigation and reviewing the witness video for more details.
Understanding Easements and Property Rights
Many homeowners are unaware that utility companies have legal rights to access certain parts of residential properties through something called an “easement.” These areas are meant for services like electricity, internet, and water.
While it’s understandable for homeowners to feel protective of their property, threatening workers who are doing their jobs legally is not the right way to handle the situation. The best option is to contact the company or local authorities for clarification.
This incident is a reminder of how quickly things can escalate when communication breaks down. Even if someone feels wronged or surprised by work happening on their property, violence and threats are never the answer. Knowing your rights—and how to handle such disputes calmly—can help prevent situations from getting out of control.
