State troopers of the Clandestine Lab Response Team assist city police in the investigation of a methamphetamine lab in a home in the 300 block of West Cunningham Street in Butler in 2017.

Butler City Council could recruit landlords in the battle to combat illegal drugs.

At Tuesday’s forum meeting, council discussed a motion that will appear on Thursday’s voting meeting agenda to begin a voluntary program in which landlords would be asked to add a clause to their leases saying they will let police enter leased properties if they suspect illegal activity.

Solicitor Tom Breth said a landlord could grant police access to their rental properties if police believe they have sufficient reasons to enter.

Councilman Michael Walter said police can access rental properties if they obtain search warrants.

But it takes time to obtain a search warrant and the suspected illegal activity might no longer exist in the time police use to secure a warrant, Breth replied.

Councilman Jeff Smith said the language landlords would add to leases would lower tenants expectations of privacy, but help police.

Read more about this story in Wednesday’s Butler Eagle.