EFFORT EVICTS DRUG DEALERS

Kaukauna Police Help Landlords Oust Bad Tenants

KAUKAUNA For drug dealers, users and gang members who rent apartments and
houses here, the message from the Kaukauna Police Department is "Keep Out."

Following the example of Milwaukee, Appleton and other communities the
Kaukauna force is organizing a Police Department Drug and Gang Abatement
Program.

"The program has proven results in other communities, and works off the
existing ordinances," Assistant Police Chief John Manion told the Common
Council Tuesday.

"When Appleton had the program for two and a half years, they had abated
about 65 apartments and only one landlord had contested it," Manion said.

"The landlords are happy because, typically, those sorts of tenants are a
threat to the building."

Police help landlords evict such tenants by tracking all nuisance calls for
noise, under-age drinking and other suspicious activity in rental
properties, and supporting landlords in court if evictions are appealed.

"Because these are criminals, some landlords are reluctant to proceed with
evictions," Manion said. "We work with neighbors and landlords to keep the
quality of life we're used to here."

KPD officer Brad Sanderfoot said landlords learn about the program through
training programs set up by police departments and stories in the press.

"The best method though, is on a one-to-one basis as it comes up,"
Sanderfoot said. "That way we can answer any questions they have and help
them personally."

Manion, Sanderfoot and Police Chief Paul Morse received encouragement from
the council to continue the abatement program actively. Ald. Lee Meyerhofer
offered to connect police with representatives from the apartment association.