Safety Issue or Invasion of Privacy?

CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY - July 25, 2001 — Residents say it has become a Constitutional issue: Do New Jersey state inspectors have a right to come into your townhouse or condo to check for smoke & carbon monoxide detectors.

The state says it does, but a growing number of residents are saying they have no right to invade the privacy of their homes. Robert Lewison: " I can`t even imagine how the New Jersey Legislature passed this."

Jim Escuti: "I don`t think it`s right."

That`s the growing reaction of residents in the state of New Jersey who own condominiums or townhouses. The object of their outrage is a new requirement that allows inspectors from the New Jersey Office of Community Affairs to come into their homes to see if they have properly working carbon monoxide detectors.

Not so fast say some residents.

First, there`s the issue of privacy.

Robyn Lewison: "I don`t want anybody in my house, I have a real problem with that."

Then there`s the issue of the $12 fee inspectors want you to pay.

Jim Escuti/Cherry Hill, New Jersey: "I think, personally, it`s an invasion of privacy... I don`t think that`s right."

The New Jersey Office of Community Affairs has been inspecting hotels and apartment building for fire and carbon monoxide detectors for some time. They recently added condominiums and townhouses, plus any resident building with 3 units or more to the list.

In a statement from the New Jersey Office of Community Affairs Code Enforcement Division, we quote officials as saying: "It`s a state law that allows us to do this. These inspections are done for residents` safety and safety of community in general."

But Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Bass Levin points out row homes & duplexes are not included and she believes the whole thing just doesn`t seem fair.

Don & Karen Merlino, managers of the Tavistock Condominium Community in Cherry Hill, say the inspections are a sham. They also say they were billed $4332.00 for the inspections of 300 c0ndo`s there recently.

The Tavistock Board of Trustees met last night and decided it was not going to pay that huge inspection bill.

It also has decided to start an effort to unify all of the condominium and townhouse associations to fight this tooth and nail.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)