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from The Telegraph
March 24, 2007
Nuisance task force descends
Authorities visit homes targeted by complaints
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The Telegraph/JOHN BADMAN
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Alton police, animal control officers and Building and Zoning Department inspectors compare notes in the front yard of one of several Alton houses targeted Wednesday during the Nuisance Abatement Task Force’s visits. The authorities visited properties suspected of having trash in the yard, building code violations, illegal drug sales, loud parties or other nuisances. The task force began the “knock and talk” visits four years ago in March.
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By LINDA N. WELLER
The Telegraph
ALTON - Warm, sunny weather was a bonus this week when the city's Nuisance Abatement Task Force paid its monthly, fourth-anniversary round of visits to suspected problem properties.
Out of eight stops Wednesday, the entourage of police officers and a cadet, two building inspectors and two animal control officers tagged five derelict cars; cited three dog owners having no city tags; wrote 10 citations for occupancy permit violations; and cited 39 building code violations, including trash or appliances outside. Authorities arrested one man wanted on a domestic battery warrant.
George Carter, Alton's supervisor of building and zoning, said people seem to understand why the task force comes calling. "I am really surprised that as much as we do this, we've had no major problems with people," he said.
Sgt. Richard Gillespie, supervisor of traffic safety for the Police Department, agreed that residents are getting used to encountering the task force and understanding its purposes.
"But there is less cooperation" in allowing task force members inside homes, Gillespie said.
"If they don't let the cops in, they know we'll be back," he said. "If they do, the cops will find their drugs or guns."
The multi-faceted effort to reduce nuisance properties - and the number of people who occupy them - officially organized in January 2003. The monthly visits started two months later.
Nearly every month since then, the contingent has followed up on tips from citizens, police and the Weed and Seed neighborhood revitalization strategy by visiting numerous properties. The U.S. Attorney's Office, Alton city attorney, Madison County Probation Department and Madison County State's Attorney's Office also are in the task force.
The first stop Wednesday was at a small bungalow on Krum Street on the East End. As eight city vehicles pulled up nearly simultaneously, a little girl yelled from the yard across the street, "Why are all you people coming here?" Her mother ushered her to their home.
Neighbors had complained that residents of the house held loud parties, including outdoor urination, which is what Lt. Mike McNamara told the young woman who eventually answered the door.
"We had a couple parties and stuff, but we haven't done it lately," the 20-year-old said. "The public urination, that was just one time."
She later told police she had kicked out that live-in troublemaker.
McNamara explained how the task force works: It follows up on complaints or tips on-site. Police "knock and talk" with whoever answers the door and run checks to see whether there are any outstanding warrants for people at the home and whether vehicles have current registrations.
Police also ask to be let inside for a "walk-through" to observe obvious signs of illegal drug use or sales. Officers question residents about "rumors" of drug activity at the homes but do not open drawers or otherwise search the houses.
If they "dispel" drug rumors, police say they won't be back unless someone calls in a new complaint. They promise to return - perhaps again and again - if residents don't let them inside, but use more of a friendly, conversational approach than outright threat.
Out of the eight residences, occupants of four homes let the group inside. Two others who have histories with the police refused. Another man was not at home, and at one apartment, police decided a reputed drug dealer had moved, so they did not go inside.
One man, though, appeared irritated that police showed up at his house on Augusta Street to investigate neighbors' complaints of vicious dogs. He wasn't allowing anyone inside.
"I have nothing to hide, but you don't have a search warrant," he told police.
The group found one dog there - a barking but seemingly non-threatening male brown and white pit bull terrier tied up behind the house. The man said the dog belongs to his mother; regardless, an animal control officer cited the man, because the dog lacked city tags.
Permission to enter the homes also allows Carter and inspectors Sam Shaw or Pat Williams to check for violations of building codes or occupancy permits to ensure quality and safety of properties.
Animal control officers Brad Northway and Steve Bosaw stand ready with animal snares at each home in case a vicious dog is there.
On Krum, McNamara told the woman, "We try to dispel any drug rumors; we'd like to look around but not go through any drawers."
The woman agreed. When police found eight beers and some clear, "homemade wine," she said the alcohol belonged to the partier.
Because of her cooperation, police allowed the woman to dump the man's alcohol down the drain and did not charge her as a minor in possession of alcohol. The rental property, though, elicited at least eight citations, from having poor wiring to an old dishwasher on the front porch. Police did not find any of the former roommate's possessions.
"It looked like he's gone; maybe it will settle down," McNamara said.
From Krum, the entourage headed to another reputed party house in Milton, on Franor Street.
"People have complained there are a lot of people in there," McNamara said.
The tiny house had some junk and dog feces scattered in the front yard and overgrown vegetation. After Pfc. Seth Stinnett knocked several times, a thin young man answered the door with only a towel wrapped around his waist.
The man let the group into the house, where inspectors noted six people were living. The house has 660 square feet on its main floor, and city code allows only two occupants in that size house. Not only did Carter cite the four adult residents, he also ticketed the owner of the rental property.
"We've had complaints here before," Carter said. "There is a bed in the basement, which is illegal, and they cut a hole in the ceiling to get to the attic" where someone sleeps, both safety issues.
linda_weller@thetelegraph.com
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