Cook County "Gentle" Evictions

Did you read the Associated Press (AP) article last week about the "gentle" evictions in Cook County?

Cook County is where the sheriff a while back refused to evict renters who did not know the property was in default. Good guy, that sheriff (Tom Dart).

A photo with the AP article showed four Cook County deputies at an Evanston residence to post the last of three eviction notices. What got my attention was the deputy holding the battering ram over his shoulder. Nice example of being "gentle", right?

Since it was the third notice, why were there four (4) deputies there? After the third notice, probably a short time elapses until the owner can take possession of the premises. So they probably weren't going to batter down the door that day.

Why not send one deputy to scotchtape the notice to the door? He can knock and politely explain the legal process that is working. Does he need three back-up deputies?

What our society is coming to is a point where people are losing - or have already lost - respect for police officers, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, etc. Deputy Scott Hunter, who was taping the notice to the door, looks like he could speak politely with a residence, if he'd take off his sunglasses. No one wants to look at a face of authority and not be able to see the eyes.

What's the practice in McHenry County? Do deputies conduct themselves respectfully and politely, when they speak with a person who is losing his property in foreclosure? Is the deputy sympathetic to the stress that person is under?

If you have had personal experience with that type of contact from the McHenry County Sheriff's Department, what was your experience in that contact? Do you know someone who has been personally served with a Notice of Eviction or who has had his possessions removed from his home? Were possessions just put out at the street and left uncovered? Were the people home when their property was removed? What was the attitude of the law enforcement personnel on duty there?