cannabisnews.com: Anti-Crime Eviction Law Considered 





Anti-Crime Eviction Law Considered 
Posted by FoM on July 05, 2001 at 11:05:14 PT
By Jason Song, Times Staff Writer
Source: Los Angeles Times
Costa Mesa is considering an ordinance that would require landlords to remove tenants who have had drug or gang related scrapes with the law at their residences. Whether Costa Mesa does so will depend in large part on how city officials interpret the legacy of Buena Park, which adopted a similar measure in 1999.   Buena Park civic leaders tout their law which requires removal of tenants who have been arrested on gang or drug charges while on rental property grounds as one of the main reasons that the quality of life has improved in their city. 
They cite the 128 times that the ordinance has been used as evidence that dangerous people are being forced out of the city. They also note that only one lawsuit has been filed against the measure.   But civil rights groups and defense attorneys say the law is unconstitutional. They predict that the lawsuit, recently filed by a landlord and awaiting a trial date, will cause the ordinance's downfall.   Buena Park officials credit the ordinance with helping to reduce crime rates. In 1998, the year before the ordinance was adopted, there were 2,447 major crimes--a category that includes rape, murder and armed robbery--reported to the Buena Park Police Department. In 1999, there were 1,904, a nearly 29% drop.   "This is one of the best ordinances that's ever been passed in Buena Park in terms of lifting the quality of life," Police Chief Gary Hicken said.   A similar law that is in effect in La Habra has been used only six times.   The ordinance works like this: Letters are sent to landlords telling them a tenant was arrested on drug charges or for a gang related offense on the rental property.   A follow-up letter is sent several weeks later ordering the landlord to remove the tenant, either through eviction or other legal action. The police can require everyone living in the rental unit to be evicted, even if they were not arrested for a crime.   But in a lawsuit filed in late March, Donald Cook, who owns a home in the 7200 block of 9th Street in Buena Park, contends that the law is unconstitutional because it infringes on his right of free speech, freedom of association and procedural due process.   One of his tenants was arrested for possession of a drug pipe in August 2000, Cook said. Though he doesn't believe the charge, even if true it is not good enough reason to remove his clients, he said.   Cook, a self-employed businessman, said he can't afford to evict his three tenants and lose their $1,100 a month rent. Further, Cook included no clauses about drug or gang related offenses in the rental agreement and fears being sued by the tenants if he evicts them.   "They're good tenants; they pay the rent on time," Cook said. "Why should I jeopardize that?"   Some legal experts say Cook is likely to win his suit.   "It's a case of city leaders thinking, 'I'll pass what I think works and I'll let the courts sort out the constitutionality later,' " said John Eastman, an associate professor at Chapman University Law School. "My guess is the ordinance will be struck down pretty quickly."   Buena Park officials say they aren't concerned.   "I believe as an American that government must behave in a constitutional manner, and when people are claiming otherwise, that's something that has to be taken seriously," said Greg Kunert, who represents Buena Park in the suit. "But in this case, I think the city is on solid ground."   Costa Mesa officials, however, are trying to guard against such lawsuits. When city employees introduced an early version of the ordinance in May that would have required removal for a drug or gang related arrest, the council voted 3 to 2 to send the proposal back to staff for refinement.   Because of worries over its constitutionality, the majority of council members asked that the law apply only to tenants convicted of crimes. But some also questioned whether Costa Mesa, recently named one of the 30 safest cities of its size in the United States by the FBI, even needs such an ordinance.   "Overall, anything that allows us to rid our city of crimes is a positive, but I'm not sure we need to go this far," Councilwoman Linda Dixon said.   The Costa Mesa council is expected to take up the revised ordinance in several weeks. Note: Housing: Costa Mesa may emulate Buena Park in targeting tenants in trouble with police. Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author: Jason Song, Times Staff WriterPublished: July 5, 2001Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Articles:HUD Can't Base Evictions on Guests' Actions http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8456.shtmlHUD's Drug Rule Overturnedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8448.shtmlCourt Frowns on Evicting HUD Tenants Unaware http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7093.shtml
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Comment #1 posted by Geronimo on July 05, 2001 at 11:42:23 PT
Sterotyping
Linda Dixon must be the only sane one in Costa Mesa. Mr Cook, this is more of a rape of the constitution. Pot smokers don't run in gangs. Gangs are just what the word implies! Why not just move a cop into every household. That will fix the problem! What convoluted thinking! It really is time to move to Canada, cause freedom of speach is next!Another sad day for Amercia.The cop shop rules!
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