Precautions on evictions

[KenW.]

Those of you who perform service of evictions and the subsequent lockout, what safety measures do you follow for protection from environmental hazards? I've heard some agencies require self contained breathing aparatus. What are some hazards associated with a, say, 2 hour exposure to questionable things? I know what to do when I find a meth lab or precursors, but some dangers are less obvious.

After clearing the building for badguys, if I feel the need, I'll put on exam gloves, paper coveralls, shoe covers, and maybe a dustmask. Excessive ammonia from cat urine, fecal material throughout the home, dead vermin (mice/ rats), piles of decomposing "stuff" make me wonder sometimes.

[SHERIFF]

The sheriff's office I worked for took no precautions and issued no equipment whatsoever (the entire 24 years). Every time I left an eviction I felt as if I was talking cockroach eggs home on my shoes and clothing.

My uniform went out into the city car as soon as I got home for the day too. So it could go into the dry cleaners the next morning.

Most people here can not imagine the filth you encounter on evictions. I'm sure you have seen it all as well, simply because you are asking the questions. I never could get over the pots and pans that appeared as if the food in them had been cooked 30 days ago. And not a clean dish or utensil in the home anywhere. And small children living in this filth.

[KenW.]

We also call out animal control often. We trap cats like they're going out of style.

[Jim1648]

I don't usually go to the extreme that you are talking about, but it can get to that on occasion. One the other hand, I am rarely in a place for as long as what you are talking about. I have an awful lot of evictions that are about 15 to 30 minutes. I realize that state laws and rules of civil procedure vary from state to state, but that is just my experience in Minnesota. As an aside, however, I do try to prepare myself with information on as many civil processes as I can BEFORE attemping service. If I can, I try to run warrant checks on everyone that is supposed to be served and more and more lately I am checking the address in the CAD system to see what kind of calls for service have been generated at the address in the recent past. I have made any number of felony warrant arrests on evictions. I also get the assistance of the local PD if I anticipate problems. My partner and I were talking recently about the importance of talking to the people most knowledgeable about the property and avoiding the "middle-man" when possible. For example, we often get the call from Suzy Barrister from the Law Offices of Dewie, Screwem, and Howe. Suzy is nice and all, but probably doesn't know a thing about the property. The on-site Property Manager, however, might be able to tell you that the property smells like a chemical factory. I also get in the habit of jotting down license plate numbers when I go to the property to post BEFORE doing the actual eviction. Just some random thoughts, as always your experiences may be very different in your area.

[KenW.]

I gather all the intel I can prior to service also. I was mainly concerned about environmental exposures.

My evictions require me to do a photo inventory of the type of property left behind, either still or motion. Apartments take about 10 minutes, single family homes around an hour if there's enough property. A business can take longer; I did a manufacturing plant last year and spent almost an entire day.

I posted one this afternoon that had been posted off-limits to human occupancy. A call to the health department revealed it was only because the water was turned off. I go back for the lockout / follow-up on Monday. The place has a strange odor to it. Like spoiled meat and animal feces.

[Guitar Cop]

My department does not do evictions, the Sheriff's dept does it

If I am not mistaken, inmate trustees empty the house while the deputy reads the newspaper in his car out front

[GIPD]

My department does not do evictions, the Sheriff's dept does it

If I am not mistaken, inmate trustees empty the house while the deputy reads the newspaper in his car out front


glad to see your back, my gluttony :rolleyes:

[KenW.]

I think we're done here. Thanks for the responses. My agency won't have anyone moving any property; that's the landlord's problem.

I've done some more research with my county's health dept. It seems that only PROLONGED exposure to molds has any effect (and then only on folks with compromised resipiratory systems) and only infants and the elderly are effected by anything else I could find, except for hantavirus.

I just won't stir up any mouse droppings if I can help it. :rolleyes: