To the Editor,

Last week, property owners in Warwick received a letter from the City Finance Dept informing them that there will be a Property Tax Revaluation and that government agents are to gain access to their property as required by State law. The letter says that the revaluations are to be “revenue neutral”, but we know that this means we will be porked again. It also states that our “anticipated cooperation with this request is greatly appreciated.” 

The State law that mandates this inspection is unconstitutional as it violates the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution which reads “The right of the people to be secure in their … houses… against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause…”

How can we be secure in our homes if the government is allowed access to every square foot of our property? Have not the government officers read the US Constitution which they swear to uphold?

Our Constitution requires that the City of Warwick obtain a court ordered search warrant to gain access to all private property, but the letter cleverly omits mentioning this requirement and rather hopes for our cooperation. They should reissue their letter to include acknowledgement of the 4th Amendment and the smart lawyers in our state should file a suit against the State and have this law repealed.

Eric Thorp

Warwick