Felons who rent their homes in Brookfield may find themselves evicted if trustees have their way.

Trustees said Monday they want to safeguard residents from those who use or sell illegal drugs and commit other crimes by asking landlords to evict tenants who break the law.

In an open letter to landlords and owners of apartment complexes, trustees plan to ask them to insert in their lease agreements specific convictions that would be grounds for eviction.

Trustees are asking that all leases include eviction within 72 hours if tenants, family members or acquaintances are convicted of drug or drug-related offenses; sexual offenses, including any and all types of deviant behavior; and physical battery, domestic violence or crimes against partners, spouses, children and neighbors.

"We are asking for your assistance in completing our task. ... It is only through zero tolerance that we can protect the residents from unwelcome elements in Brookfield," the letter states.

Trustee Chairman Phil Schmidt said the clause has no legal basis. Trustees are merely requesting landlords think about it.

"We have no authority to make this mandatory," Schmidt said.

Trustee Gary Lees, who presented the letter to his colleagues Monday night, said he feels strongly about the provisions and hopes landlords will agree to enact them. Lees said he felt compelled to draw up the provisions after attending a neighborhood watch meeting for West Hill area residents.

"These people have invested their life in their homes," he said. "Having them fear to go out on their own porches due to crime isn't right. We cannot be dumping grounds for riffraff. As trustees we need to take a stand against this no matter where we live. Our schools, communities, everything is affected by this."

The letter to landlords calls the additions and provisions a "win-win situation all around" stating it will protect property and its premises.

"When these provisions are met, it has been proven in the past that landlords can continue to make a profit from income-based properties," the letter reads.

But at least one landlord wasn't thrilled with the idea. Landlord and business owner Anthony Delgros said he doesn't think the trustees' request will benefit landlords financially.

"You're just going to request this of landlords?" he asked. "I'm not here to tell anyone what to do ... but there's no financial benefit in throwing people out," unless trustees are willing to make up for the financial loss, he said.

Trustees advised landlords to keep a waiting list of potential tenants in case an eviction should occur.

Delgros said, "We're not moralizers around here to dictate how people live. If you talk to landlords, I don't know how many will do this," he said.

Trustee Janalyn K. Saloom reminded Delgros that he would not be OK with his tenants conducting drug activity or fighting.

"You wouldn't want to condone that if you knew what was going on," she said.

"No I wouldn't," Delgros agreed. "But if a couple moved in and a domestic violence disturbance occurred, from a landlord's perspective, as long as the rent is paid that's a police issue. I mean, I hope it wouldn't go on, but from your standpoint most landlords don't care," he said.

Lees said if nothing else, the provisions make a statement that trustees are not going to allow crime in the community.

"We just don't want the element coming over. It affects everybody regardless of where you live."

Trustees are also interested in putting in an information line for residents to leave crime tips and to inform the public about community events and meetings.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharon-herald.com