PUBLIC HOUSING, LIKE MILITARY, SHOULD BE OPEN TO SEARCHES

Editor, the Tribune: Regarding the recent protest by tenants at a Columbia
public housing subsidized apartment complex, consider the following.

When our young men and women volunteer to join our military services,
I believe they are subject to search and seizure at all times while on
the military installation. This includes their dorm areas. I believe
the base commander has authorization to conduct searches at any time.

If it's OK for the military, why not consider it for our public
housing units? It appears the policy is working at this particular
apartment complex. Police calls are way down over the past year,
according to news reports. Tenants are not forced to live at public
housing units; they do so by their own choice.

I would recommend our local housing authority raise this issue for
debate and consideration. Of course, being a federal agency, it's most
likely their hands are tied and they cannot. If that's the case, maybe
we should consider privatizing all of our public housing so they can
implement this policy for the safety of all tenants.

Name withheld upon request