Boulder woman disturbed to discover police regularly enter unsecured homes

[KBScobravert]

http://www.examiner.com/article/boul...nsecured-homes

Smiley called the officer almost immediately to find out why he had entered her home. "He was very nice. He said he had come back to follow up on another officer who had been there for something and he felt he had probable cause to make sure that I was safe,"

Following up on another officer who was there previously. I think knowing why she had the cops there in the first place is key. Were they there because she called the cops on her boy friend for whoopin her ass or what? Sounds like she is bitching to bitch.

If my wife calls the police because she feels she needs their assistance, they come out and all is well, she takes the dogs for a walk and leaves the door open, cops come back to check and enter through the open door to make sure there was no foul play..........I am good with it. BUT they better be able to articulate their reasoning to enter was health and welfare and not some shady reason. This whole thing sounds legit. She is the only one that sounds like a squirrel.

[scootro]

if you ever been to Colorado you'll know Boulder is full of rich people and rich hippies! the poor people in Denver drive to Boulder to rob from the rich. this happens all the time!

[abecx]

I'm going to start investigating open doors to servers and use the same reasoning.

[davbrucas]

Stick to writing police reports and tickets. Stay out of my house.

[DON SVO]

Stick to writing police reports and tickets. Stay out of my house.

I'll quote you here simply because it's convenient (not to attack you, to clarify) and seems to be a mentality that's becoming more and more common.

Not long ago, the mantra was "do police work, like solving crimes and stopping burglaries and murders. Stop writing tickets!" when the police were brought up. Now we're more apt to say things like this. What is the cause of it all? The BS going on nowadays with more and more police officers being shown through video and pictures as being corrupt?

In an instance like this it seems the officer was doing a follow-up to a previous dispatch to this lady's residence and saw the door was open. Frost wanted to make some absurd point with his quote from the article:

"To access the sliding glass door that was left open, the officer who entered her home had to open a latching gate, go upstairs, and access the elevated deck where her door is located. To access the dining room and put his card on the table, the officer had to enter through the sliding glass door and walk through her kitchen."

The elevated deck made the open door easy to see. He's going to leave his card stating he was there (which I think is a good gesture) in an obvious spot, the dining room table would be one I would think of.

Since the officer is returning, I would like to hear the reason they came out the first time.

[scootro]

it should've left his business card in her underwear drawer

[bcoop]

I'll quote you here simply because it's convenient (not to attack you, to clarify) and seems to be a mentality that's becoming more and more common.

Not long ago, the mantra was "do police work, like solving crimes and stopping burglaries and murders. Stop writing tickets!" when the police were brought up. Now we're more apt to say things like this. What is the cause of it all? The BS going on nowadays with more and more police officers being shown through video and pictures as being corrupt?

I'm sure it was said tongue in cheek. Cops have always (ok, not always, let's say the last 20 years) been viewed as revenue generators, nothing more. And IMO, that doesn't have anything to do with the rise in the senseless beatings of people, or other corrupt shit that goes on, which is brought to light by video. That reputation has been earned by their own actions. As an example, the attitude you get if you're a victim of robbery or car theft. And of course the speed traps, and the lengths cops will go to, to try to be slick and catch those pesky speed limit violators.

[talisman]

The most confusing part of that story is her saying she doesn't have a bong laying around. Colorado is one of only 2 states where she shouldn't have to worry about it if there was. I'm honestly a little conflicted on this one. I don't think there is an "easy" answer.

[davbrucas]

I'll quote you here simply because it's convenient (not to attack you, to clarify) and seems to be a mentality that's becoming more and more common.

Not long ago, the mantra was "do police work, like solving crimes and stopping burglaries and murders. Stop writing tickets!" when the police were brought up. Now we're more apt to say things like this. What is the cause of it all? The BS going on nowadays with more and more police officers being shown through video and pictures as being corrupt?

In an instance like this it seems the officer was doing a follow-up to a previous dispatch to this lady's residence and saw the door was open. Frost wanted to make some absurd point with his quote from the article:



The elevated deck made the open door easy to see. He's going to leave his card stating he was there (which I think is a good gesture) in an obvious spot, the dining room table would be one I would think of.

Since the officer is returning, I would like to hear the reason they came out the first time.

No worries, but you did not see me posting about the above. To me, LE are corrupt until proven otherwise. With that said, I have friends that are in LE, but I have heard them talk of things they have done that I feel is abuse of their power. Of course I am not naive or obtuse enough to believe that all LE are corrupt, but it is the best way to handle anyone that has the power to completely destroy your life with just a "well articulated statement." (cops treat everyone as criminals until proven otherwise, so the favor is just returned)
So, as I stated above...stay out of my house. I will invite you in if I want you in there. If you have a warrant, then do your thing.

[davbrucas]

I'm sure it was said tongue in cheek.

Somewhat...

[46Tbird]

Serious question here...

If I see a house with a door standing open, is it legal for me (not a cop, obv) to enter it?

[davbrucas]

Serious question here...

If I see a house with a door standing open, is it legal for me (not a cop, obv) to enter it?

Nope. Trespassing.

[ceyko]

Serious question here...

If I see a house with a door standing open, is it legal for me (not a cop, obv) to enter it?

I'd think it would be no different than if I were home, with the door open and you let yourself in. Generally I'd not even think about doing it (unless screaming/crying...etc from inside) and would assume it is illegal.

Edit: Even with the screaming/crying, probably still illegal - but depending on the situation, I may chance it if someone needs help.

[46Tbird]

Nope. Trespassing.

That's what I thought. I do think the cops have an elevated privelege in this case and I really don't think I have a problem with that. If you don't want the cops in your house without a warrant, shut the door and don't invite them in.

[yellowstang]

All this door talk reminds me of this song.