We support Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler in his attempts to hold absentee landlords accountable for crime on their properties.
On April 18, deputies served a nuisance letter to the owner of a property in the 4800 block of Westport Drive. In part, the letter said: "If the property is used in criminal activity in the future, legal action may be taken."
Since Jan. 1, deputies have responded to the residence more than 20 times, including narcotics search warrants, overdoses (including one death), disturbances and assaults.
As we recently reported, the most recent incident at the residence was this past Sunday morning.
While deputies were responding, 911 dispatch reported there was a fight in the street and people were using boards as weapons, Wheeler said. Some of them left in a vehicle, and at least one person went into the residence on Westport Drive.
"Upon our arrival, no one was in the area," Wheeler said. "Deputies went to the residence, but the residents inside claimed nothing happened. The residents allowed deputies to search the residence, and two people were arrested for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia."
Using a law to hold property owners accountable when they knowingly turn a blind eye to crime on their properties gives one more tool to law enforcement.
It also gives them power that has the potential for abuse. We don't believe it's Wheeler's intent to misuse the law.
He's likely frustrated. We've been frustrated in the past at absentee landlords who don't keep up their properties and aren't responsive to tenants. For years, it's been a problem in Jefferson City, like it is in other cities.
Landlords aren't in the business of policing their tenants, nor should they be. But when it's obvious that crime continues to occur on their property, they have a responsibility to address it with their tenants and to report it.
News Tribune