PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As the investigation continues into the shooting in North Philadelphia on Wednesday during an eviction process, two Democratic state lawmakers from Philadelphia are calling for legislation that would mandate public oversight of evictions.
“It is a very serious matter to remove someone from their home. And it requires public oversight at every level,” Sen. Nikil Saval said. "It's a moment when you need great caution, you need great sensitivity. And above all, you need public oversight and accountability for what happens."
Saval says he and Sen. Sharif Street are introducing a bill that would prohibit courts from allowing private firms to carry out evictions.
Housing attorney Jenna Collins, of Community Legal Services, says the legislation would be a good first step.
“We really support the need to have a system that has more oversight. But that this is a larger issue about, you know, the violence of the eviction process,” Collins said.
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According to police, Wednesday’s shooting happened as a privately employed landlord-tenant officer was attempting to enforce an eviction notice in the city’s Sharswood neighborhood.
Landlord-tenant officers are not sworn law enforcement personnel. Instead, they’re overseen by a private law firm appointed by Philadelphia Municipal Court. Property owners are responsible for costs, and the landlord-tenant office is significantly cheaper than the Philadelphia Sheriff’s office.
A spokesman for municipal courts says they have no comment other than to say the courts will follow existing law.
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