JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A routine trip to a JEA office to update a billing address turned into a confrontation for one Jacksonville man, who claims he was subjected to a physical search by a security guard.
Michael Rodney, who visited the utility’s Pearl Street office to manage his account, said he was taken aback when he was directed to a side room, made to walk through a metal detector, and subsequently patted down by security personnel.
“After I walked through the metal detector, he started patting me down, searching me, asking me if I had any weapons on me,” Rodney said. “And I asked him, ‘What was this for, for just transferring lights?’”
According to Rodney, security staff informed him that the invasive screening procedures were implemented to ensure the safety of employees working within the utility’s financial department. However, the situation grew more complex after Rodney sought legal counsel. His attorney discovered that the account Rodney was attempting to access had been placed under a “service risk flag.”
Rodney alleged that JEA officials indicated the flag was linked to the previous occupants of the residence—individuals who had been deported to Venezuela—and that the utility had mistakenly associated him with those former tenants.
JEA explained that the service risk flag is a protective measure used in cases involving potential account fraud or security concerns. The utility stated that the flag is typically removed once the company confirms a customer is a new owner or tenant, allowing them to activate or modify service. Regarding the office protocols, JEA noted that customers required to meet with its Revenue Assurance team must undergo security screenings when a risk flag is active. These meetings are conducted in private rooms that require JEA badge access to enter.
However, JEA strongly disputed Rodney’s account of the physical search. In an official statement, the utility maintained that its security team adheres to strict guidelines and denied any non-consensual contact.
“JEA’s security team does not detain, frisk or touch customers in any way during screenings,” the utility stated.
The incident has raised questions regarding the intersection of utility security policies and customer privacy. While JEA maintains that these measures are necessary to safeguard its staff, the incident has left Rodney frustrated by the encounter and the confusion surrounding his account status.
JEA did not provide further details on how the flag was placed on the address or whether any internal review of the encounter would take place. For now, the utility insists its security protocols are designed to maintain a secure environment for all employees and visitors, emphasizing that physical contact is not part of their standard operational procedure.
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