PEPP appears to be on to something.

If police reports are not examined in context or with some explanation of the entries in the report, misinterpretation is likely. For example, reports would contain any contact with police, such as calling to report a noisy party or a suspicious person in a neighborhood. Those marks, unless explained, could be interpreted as a potential renter’s negative involvement with police.

Landlords should (and do) have access to records as part of background checks on renters. But if the records – even if technically accurate – present a distorted picture of the renter’s contacts with law enforcement, then the system is flawed.

This is an especially dicey situation when minority people are trying to find housing. The reality is that in the minds of some landlords, minorities already are suspect; misinterpreted law enforcement records could be used by landlords as an excuse to bar a minority family from their buildings.

Does it happen? Yes. Is it a simple matter to prove it? No.
And misuse of legitimate, though unclear, police records makes it too easy for some landlords to say no to certain potential renters.

PEPP sometimes tends to be unnecessarily confrontational, but not this time. In this instance, the organization is emphasizing that the background check system in place now actually works against crime-free housing because renters and potential renters are reluctant to report crime because the records of their reports can be used against them. And apparently are used against them.

Law enforcement also has a clear interest in crime-free housing districts. Why would police perpetuate a record access system that generates fear and invites law-breaking?
It makes sense, therefore, for police records to be clear enough, honest enough so that landlords can’t misuse or misinterpret them. Everyone, except very few bigoted landlords, wins if this matter is resolved.

(Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.)

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