I showed the officers the recorded deed reference, title materials, and a highlighted copy of the relevant subdivision plat.
Officer Ramirez studied them.
Then looked toward Caroline.
“Ma'am, do you have documentation showing your association controls this parcel?”
Caroline opened her black folder.
“Of course.”
She removed a glossy map.
It displayed the Canyon Crest community logo, decorative streets, landscaped common areas, and a shaded section representing our estate.
Officer Whitfield examined it.
Then asked, “Is this a recorded subdivision plat?”
Caroline hesitated.
“It's our community management map.”
The officer nodded.
“Okay. I'm asking whether it's a recorded legal document establishing the association's authority.”
Caroline's expression changed.
“Our management company prepared it.”
I looked toward the map.
For a moment, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Somebody had shaded our property as though it were part of the HOA.
But that wasn't what concerned me most.
A dotted line crossed the southern edge of our yard.
The line ran directly beside the pool wall.
And near it, printed in small letters, were three words:
PROPOSED COMMUNITY WALKWAY
I felt my pulse quicken.
Caroline quickly pulled the map closer.
But I'd already seen it.
I looked toward Officer Ramirez.
“May I show you the recorded subdivision boundary?”
She nodded.
I opened the county-recorded plat we'd obtained during the purchase.
Then pointed toward the estate parcel.
“This is our property. It was expressly excluded from the recorded HOA declaration.”
Officer Whitfield studied the line.
Then compared it with Caroline's glossy map.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Finally, he looked toward her.
“Ma'am, the materials being presented appear to describe different boundaries.”
Caroline's face reddened.
“That's because the county records haven't been updated to reflect community management.”
The officer looked at her.
“Do you have a recorded amendment or other document showing this parcel was added?”
Caroline opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Officer Ramirez turned toward me.
“Mr. Reed, we'll document the information and verify what we can. We aren't going to decide a complicated property dispute solely from papers presented at the pool.”
I nodded.
“I understand.”
She continued.