Neighbor accused of threats to landscapers, possibly for noise

A Battle Ground man accused of threatening a landscaping crew with a machete because he apparently thought they were being noisy made a first appearance Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court.

Alan L. Smith, 67, faces an allegation of second-degree assault in connection with the Aug. 25 confrontation.

Three employees of Jones Landscape were doing routine maintenance at a residence in the 10500 block of Northeast 176th Circle when they heard multiple gunshots coming from the direction of a neighbor’s home. Afterward, the employees noticed a broken tree limb on the ground near them, which they believed had been damaged by the gunfire, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.

The employees continued to work, but were on the lookout, the affidavit said.

Smith emerged from his property, wearing what appeared to be only underwear and carrying a large machete. According to court documents, he allegedly approached the employees, yelling, “No more noise!”

One of the employees recorded the encounter with a cellphone. The workers left and contacted the company’s owner, who then called 911, court records said.

On Friday, Clark County sheriff’s deputies contacted Smith at his home. He allegedly admitted to confronting the landscapers with the machete, court records said. However, he denied shooting in their direction and said they had probably heard him target-shooting.

While Smith was being arrested, deputies said, he seemed upset and blamed the landscapers, saying they are “probably illegal” residents.

At the first appearance, Judge Derek Vanderwood set Smith’s bail at $15,000. He will retain his own attorney and be arraigned Sept. 16.