Police get locksmiths to enter homes

[Treasure Chest]

This isn't a search or seizure. Sounds like officers are making entry under exigent circumstances - which is to get the gas shut off before something bad happens. They aren't looking for drugs in this situation. Does the article say anything about arrests made? Nope. Just officers and gas company killing the gas. Not sure why the can't cut it at the meter.

Haven't read all the way through, yet. If they shut off the gas at the meter, then turn it back on, wouldn't the pilot lights will be out and once the gas starts flowing again, it would just fill the house?

[Forever_frost]

No. Most gas appliances have electric pilot lights and gas valves. For instance, my propane heater in the house doesn't have a pilot light, it has an electric ignition and a valve that controls when gas is released. No gas in the line, no light. If there's air in the lines, the system shuts down after trying to light twice.

There are safeties on things and have been for quite a while. There was zero reason to do this just as there was zero reason during Katrina to confiscate weapons and kick people out of their homes

[Treasure Chest]

No. Most gas appliances have electric pilot lights and gas valves. For instance, my propane heater in the house doesn't have a pilot light, it has an electric ignition and a valve that controls when gas is released. No gas in the line, no light. If there's air in the lines, the system shuts down after trying to light twice.

There are safeties on things and have been for quite a while. There was zero reason to do this just as there was zero reason during Katrina to confiscate weapons and kick people out of their homes

That is assuming that all of the appliances in all of the houses have the safeties in place. There are no guarantees that every single one of the appliances in every affected home are new. It's really a damned if you don't/damned if you do situation. If they go in, they're intruding on the homeowner's
privacy, but if they assume that all appliances have safeties, and one house goes boom, they are liable because they didn't take the needed precautions.

[stevo]

So, wait... they are going to break into my house to, say, shut the gas off and while they're there they are going to plant evidence? Why would they do that?

How about this scenario: There is a gas leak, the police know about it, but rather than break in without a warrant they just let it go and your house blows up killing your pets and destroying a lifetime of memories in the form of pictures, heirlooms, and other possessions. That would sit well with you?

The article says nothing about gas leaks in the houses, it was about shutting gas off at the meters. Modern appliances all use thermocouples and devices that shut off the pilot light if it goes out (read, when the meter is shut off, if the gas supply is interrupted, etc)

As far as the planting evidence comment, tell me why they have planted evidence in cases in the past? Tell me why there is a small percentage of cops that have huge chips on their shoulders and take attitudes with people for no real reason, ones that think anyone else should be able to have firearms, ones that believe they are above the law? It might not happen very often, but it does happen, and due to precedents in legal cases not long ago, they can use evidence found in situations where normally they are not allowed use them (I.E, being in your house for something other than a legal investigation).

Long story short, unless they have a valid legal reason to be in my house, they should stay the fuck out of it.

Stevo

[Binky]

exactly, you guys can go fuck your new cell mate if you think I'm spending any more than $50/year in your commissary fund!

If i got thrown in prison, Matt would throw a going away party at a bar and send me the bill to work off in the prison laundry.

[Forever_frost]

That is assuming that all of the appliances in all of the houses have the safeties in place. There are no guarantees that every single one of the appliances in every affected home are new. It's really a damned if you don't/damned if you do situation. If they go in, they're intruding on the homeowner's
privacy, but if they assume that all appliances have safeties, and one house goes boom, they are liable because they didn't take the needed precautions.

There's no guarantee that the house had a gas line to it or that the house wasn't up to code either. They used a LOCKSMITH to enter a home they had no right to go into. Why wasn't the gas company brought to turn stuff off? Are police now qualified to handle gas leaks?

[TENGRAM]

So, how many arrests or confiscations were made?

[Forever_frost]

We don't know. It was just the police that went in. Wonder how much money that was sitting on end tables went missing

[Treasure Chest]

There's no guarantee that the house had a gas line to it or that the house wasn't up to code either. They used a LOCKSMITH to enter a home they had no right to go into. Why wasn't the gas company brought to turn stuff off? Are police now qualified to handle gas leaks?

Well, it says 'crews' are going door to door, and the police and locksmiths are only attending when someone isn't home. The conclusion can be drawn that the police are there to witness/verify that the 'crews' aren't stealing money off coffee tables. But, IIRC, ALL responders are, in fact, trained on gas line safety. Plus, I'm sure the gas company has a pretty good idea who has service with them . If they didn't take the measure, and someone were to die of carbon monoxide poisoning or if a block went up in a fireball, they'd not only have a lawsuit on their hands, but would also be criticized for NOT taking the additional step and securing the houses. You can get bent all you want, but they really don't have a good choice on this one. It's not much different than a welfare check, but they're using a locksmith rather than busting doors in.

[Treasure Chest]

Also, customers with National Grid sign saying they agree to the Terms and Conditions of the service agreement, which has a clause in it for emergency access to the premises. So, technically, going in with police and a locksmith is not unauthorized access. They authorized emergency access when they signed their service agreement.

[Forever_frost]

Have to love those that stand for the police invading your home when you're not there and going through your house.

[Snatch Napkin]

Have to love those that stand for the police invading your home when you're not there and going through your house.

If it were unlawful invasion we would be just as upset. However, this particular occurrence is not the case.

Cops were there to do a proper job of ensuring safety to the crews and making sure people's belongings are kept safe.

The customers signed an agreement that in the event of an emergency crews can be let in to do their job. If the gas meter was turned back on and a house was not equipped with newer appliances, then the house fills with natural gas. It's a pretty straightforward approach to ensuring the livelihood of an individual, as well as, a pretty nasty lawsuit.

This one particular article is reaching for an alarming sensation.

[exlude]

Have to love those that stand for the police invading your home when you're not there and going through your house.

And those that don't read what they sign.

[Baba Ganoush]

Treasure Chest seems to be on the right page here.

From my experience working with a utility company, I had hard asses everyday that would shout about "tresspasing". "Not a problem", I would tell them, "I have the right to enter your property 24/7 to access my equipment. If you disagree or will not permit me, there are other more costly ways to gain access, or I could simply take my equipment with me and you can call PG&E and see if they'll run a power line out here to you."

Now this was only entering their property, NOT the residence, that was strictly prohibited even when invited. Not sure how they can justify entering the residence, unless the service disconnect is inside, which is possible.

[stevo]

Treasure Chest seems to be on the right page here.

From my experience working with a utility company, I had hard asses everyday that would shout about "tresspasing". "Not a problem", I would tell them, "I have the right to enter your property 24/7 to access my equipment. If you disagree or will not permit me, there are other more costly ways to gain access, or I could simply take my equipment with me and you can call PG&E and see if they'll run a power line out here to you."

Now this was only entering their property, NOT the residence, that was strictly prohibited even when invited. Not sure how they can justify entering the residence, unless the service disconnect is inside, which is possible.

In bold is where people are having an issue. Not accessing the property to gain access to a meter or shut-off valve, but actually entering residences by picking locks on doors. As a plumber, I have never seen a meter or provider shut-off valve inside a residence since meter readers have to be able to access them monthly to take readings for billing. Maybe I am wrong about meters only being outside the residence, if so, someone can correct me.

Stevo