Introduction
At Fruit Haven, our shared vision is rooted in nonviolence, mutual respect, transparency, and personal responsibility. From time to time, difficult situations arise that test these values and require us to act collectively, carefully, and with integrity.
This post summarizes a community-wide process that took place in late June 2024 following a serious incident on-site. The purpose of this summary is to provide clarity, transparency, and historical record for current and future community members.
Disclaimer
This summary is anonymized and intentionally avoids personal names. It reflects the process and outcome of a community governance decision, not a legal judgment. It is based on written communications and shared evidence available to community members at the time. Ongoing or separate legal matters, if any, are outside the scope of this post.
Community Vote Following a Violent Incident
June 25–30, 2024
Background
On June 18, 2024, a physical assault occurred on Fruit Haven property. Video footage of the incident was made available to community members shortly afterward.
On June 25, 2024, a formal email was sent to Fruit Haven owners and stakeholders initiating a community consensus and voting process. Members were given time to review:
-
Video evidence of the incident
-
The Fruit Haven vision
-
Community bylaws
-
The sovereignty and governance doctrine
A 24-hour voting window was established. Members who did not respond were counted as abstaining.
At the time, the individual involved in the incident was in the process of purchasing a Fruit Haven lot. The sale had not been notarized and was therefore still legally reversible.
The Question Before the Community
Community members were asked to vote on whether the individual who committed the assault should be removed from the community, based on alignment with Fruit Haven’s core principles, including:
-
Zero tolerance for physical violence
-
Commitment to nonviolent communication
-
Safety of residents, guests, and visitors
-
Long-term community wellbeing
Members voting against removal were asked to explain how retaining the individual would align with the community’s vision and how similar incidents would be prevented in the future.
Community Deliberation
Between June 25 and June 26, extensive discussion took place via email:
-
A clear majority of participants stated that physical violence is incompatible with Fruit Haven’s values and poses unacceptable safety risks.
-
Several members emphasized that concerns about management, pricing, or governance—while valid topics—were separate issues and should not be conflated with a violent incident.
-
A small number of participants requested more time or mediation.
-
The individual involved declined to provide a written statement during the voting period, citing legal advice and indicating they would only address the matter in a formal legal setting.
Outcome
By June 26, 2024, the voting process concluded:
-
21 votes were cast in favor of removal.
-
No opposing votes were determined to meet the requirements of the community bylaws or vision, as none justified or permitted an act of violence.
The result was determined to be a clear community consensus.
It was decided that the individual would be formally notified and required to leave Fruit Haven within 30 days of the incident (by mid-July 2024).
Reflections and Next Steps
In follow-up messages between June 28 and June 30, community members reflected on broader lessons, including:
-
The importance of swift, values-based responses to safety issues
-
The need for clearer procedures and stronger vetting for future residents
-
Reinforcing nonviolent communication and conflict-resolution standards
-
Strengthening governance and documentation processes
While the situation was difficult, many members expressed appreciation for the community’s ability to act collectively and reaffirm its commitment to a safe, respectful, and values-aligned environment.