Elon Musk’s new mansion purchase draws protests in an Austin boomtown. The fight between the billionaire and area residents is escalating. Musk already displayed his commitment to Austin in 2022 by purchasing a $6 million domicile in the surrounding area. More recently, he has come under fire for the illegal alterations he’s made, including putting up a 16-foot tall chain-link fence and a metal gate.
Closer to home, some affected local residents have raised alarm bells about the extreme security checks Musk’s private army has installed. Video from outward-facing cameras now patrol the perimeter outside his house. This has spurred privacy and security fears among his neighbors. Paul Hemmer is a recently retired real estate agent and currently is president of the local homeowners association for the neighborhood. Specifically, that he lives directly across the street from Musk. He’s been out on the property himself and organized volunteers to patrol Musk’s property to keep tabs on potential ordinance violations.
Hemmer has recently stepped up his game. He is currently using drones to fly over Musk’s mansion and do aerial surveillance, all from his own property. Most impressively, he’s done all this while working in his underwear. “If you follow him at all in the news, he’s always guilty of building stuff and then asking for permission later,” Hemmer remarked, highlighting his frustration with Musk’s approach to property modifications.
Whether Musk should have armed security personnel patrolling his property has become a buzzed-about bone of contention. His security detail’s tendency to close off neighborhood streets has created discord and discontent among district residents. To add insult to injury, Musk’s vehicles have been one of the main movers behind this disruption – leading neighbors to complain about increased traffic and safety hazards.
Musk, of course, is in Washington, D.C., making good on his other commitments. Unfortunately, his absence from the neighborhood has done little to soothe the growing fraying nerves. Rather, it has led to increased public focus on the details of his behavior in the community. Even after neighbors enjoyed their moment of victory, they’ve continued to stay on guard, sounding off about the upheaval and tumult caused by Musk’s arrival.