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.