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DETROIT NATIVE SUN
DETROIT NATIVE SUN
By Valerie D. Lockhart
SUN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
As Dasella Scott sat grief stricken at her father’s funeral, the somber mood was interrupted by a buzz on her cellphone.
Scott initially ignored the buzzing. When it would not stop, she looked down at her phone and was shocked to see a text message followed by a voice mail from ADT that said, "The motion detector in your home has been triggered. A break-in has been reported. We have contacted the police."
Frantically, Scott left the funeral and returned home to find that an Inkster Police officer had escorted Inkster Housing Commission (IHC) staff into her home. A message taped to her door stating she was at a funeral, the alarm is activated, and to call before entering was ignored.
"I felt betrayed and violated. They ignored my note and invaded my private space. They robbed me of my father's funeral. That's an event I can never unwind and do again," Scott said. "They could have left a card saying, 'I'm sorry I missed you give us a to reschedule the meet and greet.'"
Scott went to the rental office for Parkside Estates that is managed by the Housing and Urban Development department to determine why they entered her home and to file a complaint.
She was told by Gladys Neal, executive director of the IHC, "You knew we were coming for a housing inspection."
Scott, who gestures with her hands while speaking, denied receiving notice of a housing inspection.
According to HUD's Public Housing Occupancy Guidebook states, “The lease specifies the circumstances under which Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) may enter a dwelling unit during a tenant’s occupancy. Except for emergencies, PHAs must also give tenants a notice specifying the purpose for requesting entry into a unit at least two days prior.
After giving notice, PHAs are expressly permitted to enter tenants' units to:
* Perform routine inspections and maintenance (this includes inspections conducted by HUD staff, HUD contract inspectors and PHA staff);
* Make improvements or repairs; and
* Show the unit for re-leasing. If no adult members of a tenant's household are at home when the PHA staff enters a unit, staff must leave a notification for the tenant about the date, time, and purpose of the entry prior to leaving the unit. The PHA may enter a unit at any time without notice if there is reasonable cause to believe an emergency exists, such as, if the unit smells of gas or there is water running out from under the door. It is important to note that this section of the lease does not authorize PHAs or police departments to enter units for security purposes unless for example, the police department has a search warrant or has other legal authority to enter absent tenant’s consent."
A flyer distributed to residents states, "Inkster Housing personnel will be going door to door, and we want to meet you and your family" during a "property walk on March 5 to March 7."
Upset because the flyer did not mention an inspection and the violation of her rights, Scott raised her voice and demanded to file a complaint. Neal asked Scott twice to come into her office to speak.
When Scott refused to talk privately in Neal's office, she refused to file the complaint and advised Scott to leave the building or wait for Inkster police to come.
The entire incident was recorded by Scott's friend and posted online on YouTube under "Excuse Me Honey! That's not what the flyer said/You & your staff don't know your own lease/policy."
Scott left the building and the police were called.
Officer Tevon Hall responded to the call and took a report from Neal.
He wrote, "She observed a male recording the interaction. Ms. Scott said, 'I got my brother taping because I might need bail money.' At this point, Ms. Neal felt threatened and believed Ms. Scott might attempt to harm her. Ms. Neal repeatedly instructed Ms. Scott to step back, stating, 'I need you to back up please,' multiple times. Ms. Scott failure to not back up. Ms. Neal was in fear that Ms. Scott was going to strike her. Ms. Neal then informed Ms. Scott that she was no longer welcome at 4500 Inkster and directed her to leave the premises. She then instructed her staff to contact the Inkster Police Department. Ms. Scott and her brother subsequently left the location."
Officer Hall interviewed two witnesses, Terrance Adams and Alicia Jacobs, who collaborated that Ms. Scott was angry. Jacobs claims to have heard Neal yell out to call 911.
Hall said he reviewed the housing office's video footage that captured the incident.
"The video shows Ms. Dasalla Scott entering Inkster Housing Commission in an aggressive manner, appearing visibly upset and yelling," Hall wrote. "Ms. Scott is observed placing her hands in the faces of two employees while continuing to yell aggressively. Additionally, a male accompanying Ms. Scott also appeared to be recording the incident. The video footage has been preserved and is available for review."
However, the housing video footage reportedly had no sound. The video recorded by Scott's friend does not show Scott putting her fingers in anyone's face nor does Neal ask Scott to back up. In fact, Neal takes a step toward Scott who moves away.
After Scott left the building, she immediately went to the police department to file a police report accusing the IHC of breaking into and entering her home. Officer Hall denied her request.
She would later learn that Hall was the officer who escorted staff into her home. She was able to make a written statement that was documented by Detective Gardner, who called Hall and left a message about the complaint.
Five days later, Scott received a citation in the mail accusing her of "acting in a threatening matter/assaultive matter, trespassed from 4500 Inkster Road." She must appear in the 22nd District Court to face a misdemeanor charge of "Disorderly Person Disturbing the Peace/Acting in a Threatening & Aggressive Manner."
“We take all inquiries seriously, especially those involving allegations of misconduct or potential violations of civil rights. After reviewing the details of the incident, we can confirm that the officers involved acted appropriately and in accordance with department policy and state law,” Inkster Police Chief Tamika Jenkins said. “As it pertains to the entry into Ms. Scott’s residence, the officers were present in a standby capacity to prevent a possible disturbance and ensure the safety of all parties, as they did with all residents. It is important to note that law enforcement did not initiate the entry nor compel it.”
However, a neighbor says she witnessed Officer Hall opening the door to Ms. Hall’s home and escorting housing staff into the property.
Six days later, she received a certified letter from the IHC ordering her to leave the property within a week.
The Inkster Housing Commission did not respond to the Detroit Native Sun’s email questioning the eviction notice and filing of a police report.
"I feel like Ms. Neal weaponized the law to use against me," Scott said. "I've never had a criminal record, and I've always paid my rent on time. Because I requested to file a complaint against the IHC for violating my rights, I was retaliated against with a criminal charge and eviction. No one will want to rent to me with a criminal record. I would like to see HUD or city officials appoint a lawyer to the housing units to represent tenants. We are low-income residents. That’s why we’re getting subsidized housing. We need someone to speak out for us. Just because we’re poor doesn’t mean we don’t have rights. This is an abuse of power and it’s time to disconnect the cord."
