Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2005
Source: Daily Advance, The (NC)
Copyright: 2005sCox Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.dailyadvance.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1700
Author: Robert Kelly-Goss

ANTI-DRUG EFFORT TO TARGET LANDLORDS

Local landlords who rent to drug dealers that get arrested may lose more 
than their tenants under a new police initiative in Elizabeth City.

Capt. G.F. "Frank" Koch announced Thursday that the Elizabeth City Police 
Department are planning to list the landlord's name on arrest reports 
whenever suspects are arrested for dealing drugs at a residence.

Koch said neighborhood residents want to be rid of drug dealers, and 
targeting landlords is one way to accomplish that.

"We have no problems with the landlords, but the person living in the house 
is interfering with the neighborhood," Koch said. "The landlord doesn't 
necessarily want to cause problems."

Landlords will be notified of the new policy, which is still being 
developed, Koch said. Police are hoping that seeing their names on arrest 
reports will motivate landlords to stop renting to drug dealers, he added.

Though landlords aren't the target of the policy, their properties could be 
if they continue to rent to drug dealers, Koch said.

"We would send (the landlord) a letter that we searched the house and found 
that so and so was selling drugs in this house and (that he needs) to fix 
the problem or the next step is we are seeking relief from the court to 
seize the property," Koch said.

Koch said the ECPD has been involved in several house and vehicle seizures 
in the past, but none inside the city limits. Currently, the department is 
in the process of seizing a house involved in a drug arrest, he said.

Koch said house forfeitures would probably involve federal law enforcement 
agencies. The landlord's seized property could be sold by the federal 
government with a share of the proceeds going to Elizabeth City.

Police plan to hold a workshop to educate landlords about the new 
initiative, Koch said. Police will explain to property owners the 
consequences of leasing to drug dealers as well as offer tips on how to 
find out if a prospective tenant is selling drugs.

He said rental applications and a background check with the Pasquotank 
Clerk of Court's Office could provide needed information.

"If you start checking and you find that someone has three drug arrests, it 
might raise a flag," Koch said.

Koch did not have a start-up date for when the new initiative will go into 
effect. He and police Chief William Anderson are still finalizing plans, he 
said.
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