Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jul 2003 Source: Columbia Missourian (MO) Copyright: 2003 Columbia Missourian Contact: http://www.digmo.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2282 Author: Debra Gulbas EVICTIONS IN WORKS AFTER DRUG SEARCHES The Columbia NAACP Leader Says Residents' Civil Rights Were Violated. Dan Fletcher is taking action after Tuesday's drug search in Columbia Square Townhomes. Drug dogs sniffed each front door of the 128-unit complex and some apartments were searched. Fletcher, the property adviser, said some drugs were found, but he would not state the type or amount. On Thursday, Fletcher said he hired a lawyer and will file civil lawsuits seeking the eviction of tenants found to have illegal drugs in their apartment. Although no drugs were confiscated, Fletcher said, the items were documented and photographed by officers with Metropolitan Patrol, a private security company based in Kansas City that Fletcher hired to conduct the searches. Fletcher said he opted to hire the private company because he wanted to create a drug-free environment for residents at the government-subsidized housing complex. "I just want to give the residents a safe place to call home," Fletcher said. When asked if he would conduct the drug searches again, Fletcher replied, "Absolutely." Although Fletcher said he is trying to provide safe and sanitary housing, some Columbia Square tenants are not happy about the searches. All residents in the 128-unit complex received a flier June 27 stating "the management will be conducting random unit inspections throughout the property." Some residents and Mary Ratliff, president of local and state NAACP, believe there is a difference between a search and an inspection. "I don't consider an inspection a search," Ratliff said, "and it seems to me that there was a violation of their civil rights." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake