This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Channel 9 News recently did a story on what it said were illegal/warrantless searches happening within the Longmont Housing Authority properties.
It turns out, Channel Nine News may not have been telling the whole story.
Here's a link to the Channel Nine report video:
The City of Longmont and the Longmont Public Safety Department responded with the following press release:
LONGMONT POLICE RESPONDED TO LONGMONT HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
JUNE 7, 2017 – PRESS RELEASE FROM LONGMONT PUBLIC SAFETY
In response to concerns about illicit drug activity, complaints from residents, and a recent drug overdose death at the Suites Supportive Housing Community, the Longmont Housing Authority (LHA) called Longmont Police for assistance.
It was incorrectly reported that the police were conducting illegal searches. The source of this misinformation can be traced back to a letter that the Longmont Housing Authority sent to residents stating, “Please note that we will occasionally have K-9 units with LPD accompany us for purposes of training and compliance.”
The Longmont Public Safety Department informed the Housing Authority they would only assist them with this process with assurances that individual constitutional rights would be honored, with the purpose of making the residents of the facility feel safe, and sharing information about the Public Safety Department’s Angel Initiative (addiction treatment services).
Public Safety Leadership was made aware of the letter from the Longmont Housing Authority to the tenants of the Suites Tuesday afternoon. Given that the letter did not convey the conditions set forth by Longmont Public Safety, specifically those conditions related to protect an individual’s constitutional rights, leadership made the decision not to participate in this process.
There was never any intent or violation of constitutional rights. The police department has not arrested anyone or confiscated anyone’s property and has not conducted any searches without the consent of the individual, as related to this issue.
Like many police agencies across the country, Longmont Public Safety receives calls about possible illegal drug use almost daily. Each case is unique but the one constant is the understanding of constitutional rights. Longmont Police Officers are highly trained and understand case law as it relates to 4th Amendment Search and Seizure.
We hope Channel Nine News follows up with a more balanced and complete story in the near future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 10pm 6-7-17: Channel 7 News has done a more in-depth story and clarified that the concern seems to be the original complaint came from a Longmont Housing Authority renter who was concerned that people didn't know they could tell the police that no, they couldn't enter the apartment. It appears she was not required to let police in without a warrant, as was implied in the other news stories, she was simply concerned that the letter she received didn't specifically spell out that she or any other renter were not required to let the police in without a warrant.
The primary issue here can be boiled down to one observation by the concerned renter "The whole process just seems just a little shady to me".
Police Commander Post said: "If consent is granted the officer and the dog would go in and do a search. If consent was not given, the officer and the dog would not enter the apartment,".
