Warning to apartment growers! Illegal searches

[ItsGrowTime]

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/oakland-police-search-without-warrants/Content?oid=1878972

On a gloomy recent morning in West Oakland, tenants at the David Gray Building — or, Off-Ramp Studios, as everyone who lives there calls it — stood in the hallways outside their lofts. They gathered around their doors in nervous clusters and spoke in hushed tones, wondering aloud whether they should head to work or stay and observe while two Oakland police officers, two building services code enforcers, a fire inspector, and three property management representatives entered all of their units one by one.

Traditionally the entire procedure would have required a search warrant. But on this day, the group of cops and city officials were operating under a little-known Oakland city program, called "SMART" — Specialized Multi-Agency Response Team — that some legal experts say may be unconstitutional. That's because they enter people's homes without consent or a warrant.

click link - mj bust mentioned

Specifically in Oakland CA but sure to catch on elsewhere, if not already.

 

[dtfsux]

That is just crazy.

Absurd.

But the guy who got busted with the mushrooms, he had several days notice. He should have cleaned house.

I also do not think the fire marshall can order the LL to clean out a unit. Maybe of hazardous stuff but not personal items. That is an illegal eviction.

 

[MarquisBlack]

Wow that gave me butterflies in the ol' stomach.

 

[pimpjuice]

they do something similar in northern humboldt with the fire department to go after apt grows. They go to a complex and start knocking on doors to inspect them, basically if you deny them access you can guess who's coming over next. If you aren't home they try and listen for fans & look at the electric meters.

 

[SmilinBob]

Door stays locked for those that don't know me. If they have a search warrant then they can kick it in.

 

[gaiusmarius]

nasty gestapo and SS tactics for sure. hope they get sued for violating the constitution, so this kind of thing doesn't catch on. it's already bad enough how they employ all these tricks to try get people to let them in, without them outright ignoring the rule of law.

 

[igrowone]

i find it interesting with the number of posters that say 'it's legal in Cali already', we don't need no stinking TC2010
if that's true, why do i see threads on situations like these in Cali?

 

[chuckyoufarley]

WELCOME TO RUSSIA

 

[ibjamming]

Section 8 or welfare housing? I'm sure it is. If the government "owns" it...you can be sure they'll inspect it. Or, it's "slum" housing and people are complaining.

There's more to the story...nobody is doing this JUST to find a grow. They're not going to "nice neighborhoods" and doing this...I'm sure of it. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[intotheunknown]

that is why MOST of us here constantly stress to people...

do. not. grow. in. an. apartment.

yet again the topic gets brought up. and yet again someones got to say it.

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Door stays locked for those that don't know me. If they have a search warrant then they can kick it in.

I imagine the apartment management guys have keys like in the article.

 

[MarquisBlack]

I bought new padlocks almost two weeks ago.. I think I'ma go install those tonight lol.

 

[Maria_Vanessa]

Section 8 or welfare housing? I'm sure it is. If the government "owns" it...you can be sure they'll inspect it. Or, it's "slum" housing and people are complaining.

There's more to the story...nobody is doing this JUST to find a grow. They're not going to "nice neighborhoods" and doing this...I'm sure of it. That's my opinion anyway.

Never assume a thing in this day and age. You should have checked, because it isn't slums.

http://www.offrampstudios.net/for-rent/401/index.html

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Offramp Studios[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
1155 Fifth Street
(Fifth St. @ Adeline)
Oakland, CA[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular](510) 444-1301[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Offramp Studios: 1155 Fifth St., Oakland, CA: Older masonry building, converted in 1985, with exposed wood retrofit beams throughout. Easy access to all major east-bay freeways. 3 block walk to West Oakland BART (downtown SF in minutes). Close to Jack London Square and downtown Oakland.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]#401: $1,800 [/FONT](One month free: $1662 for 13 months)[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular] | Work/Live Loft | West Oakland — Divided floor plan.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]• Remodeled kitchen area w/ counter, cabanets, gas range, microwave, refrigerator • Bathroom w/tub & shower • Small washer/dryer • Sleeping loft with closets and sleeping nook, spiral staircase, wrought iron railings • Office/work space with cabinetry and separate entrance • 13 foot ceilings • Skylight • Built-in ventilation • Double pane windows • Painted hardwood floor • Closets and storage • DSL access • One year lease • Dog friendly building (with pet deposit) • Coin washer/dryer in building • Water and garbage paid • Move-in = First month's rent + Security Deposit ($2,812).[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]NOTE: This unit is rented UNFURNISHED. All furnishings in these photographs belong to previous tenant. [/FONT]​

 

[bentom187]

change your locks when ya move in.I wounder if they actually fixxed any code problems they found or just looked and booked.then if there ever was a fire started or a actual accident could the LL be responsable leagley since supposedley they inspected it and they where under the false impression of the place being safe?

 

[BrotherBuz]

that is why MOST of us here constantly stress to people...

do. not. grow. in. an. apartment.

Why? Apartment dwellers have privacy rights too, both federal and state rights, just as the homeowners. Haven’t you heard?

 

[Maria_Vanessa]

Why? Apartment dwellers have privacy rights too, both federal and state rights, just as the homeowners. Haven’t you heard?

wow.

Yes, we do have privacy rights. But, from state to state, from locality to locality and from rental property to rental property, they can be quite different.

For example, in my apartment building, maintence and office workers do have the right to enter your apartment if you are not there.

I have seen it with my own eyes because it happened with one of my neighbors. He or she wasn't home, the maintanance guy banged on the door the first time and announced his presence. When no one answered, he had a set of keys and went to unlock the door. When he wasn't successful, he banged on the door and announced his presence again. When no one answered, this time he did gain access to the apartment. He left that neighbor's door wide open as he began to fix the central air conditional system outside.

It's up to each person to decide whether or not its worth it to grow in a rented apartment, townhouse, condo or house.

Bottom line is: Read your lease carefully! Don't assume, never assume that you have the same privacy rights as everyone else especially if you live near parks, churchs, schools, etc. I wouldn't even put it pass rental companies to have any sort of secret legal agreements or partnerships with local or state LEOs.

If a person does decide to grow, security should be the number priority above anything else. Apartment growers may want to go overboard on the security, if there is such a thing.