INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, Fla. -- A frustrated homeowner spray-painted a "Hitler" message on her own house to address an escalating tiff with her homeowners association, causing unrest among neighbors in the quiet community of single-family homes.

Sheila Jones, the 45-year-old homeowner, said she wrote the graffiti because, "I am tired of being harassed by the homeowners association."

The messages she spray-painted in large red letters on her home, located at 430 Emerald Drive, said, "Hitler would be a welcome neighbor here. Stop the harassment to my family." Another message said "Merry Xmas."

Jones told Local 6 News partner Florida Today on Tuesday afternoon that she had been mocked by her neighbors and humiliated at meetings, all because she failed to pay the $120 monthly homeowners association fee.

"If I could afford to pay for it, I would," she said. "I probably owe about $2,000. When you don't have the money, what do you do?" said Jones, who added that her family was trying to avoid foreclosure. "We are trying to work with the bank."

The message prompted members of the Townhouse Estates Homeowners Association to call Indian Harbour Beach police.

"I just wish they would have left out the Hitler (reference)," said Chief Bobby Sullivan of the Indian Harbour Beach Police Department.

Sullivan said that if the owners spray-painted their own home, it may not be a criminal violation. But they could face action by the homeowners association.

Pat Cutright, 77, who lives next door, said she was upset about the graffiti.

"They have defaced the paint on the outside, something they haven't paid for," Cutright said. "Anyway, it is downright offensive."

The property, listed under the names of Sheila and Arthur Jones, is valued at $117,000, according to the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office. There are no liens listed against the homeowners, records show.

Frank Lady, president of the association, raised concern about the spray-painted message with police.

"The graffiti that appears on the wall is the current concern," Lady said. "Any painting that does not conform with current (by-laws) should get approval."

Lady said the homeowners association will hold its regular meeting on Monday.