In south St. Louis County, a family says their front door has repeatedly been approached by officers pursuing a suspect. Homeowner Pariss Brown says police and probation officers have repeatedly visited her home seeking a man who has not lived there for years. She told reporters the visits began in June 2023 and have occurred at least three times, involving both uniformed probation and parole agents as well as St. Louis County officers.
Brown and her neighbors have posted signs on the property to clarify the situation, but visits from law enforcement have continued. She says her primary concern is that a late-night error by police or immigration officers could put her children at risk.
According to Brown, officers have been looking for a man named Munir Hirkic, and some court records still list her home as one of his former addresses. Publicly available court dockets for Hirkic include entries ranging from traffic citations and protective orders to domestic-assault allegations and drug- and weapons-related convictions. Brown and investigators say that this mix of records has led officers to several previous addresses, including her home.
Brown says county officials told her that residents are expected to notify police when a suspect no longer lives at a given address. An ICE spokesperson told reporters that the agency is not currently involved with the individual, according to First Alert 4.
How 'wanteds' Can Send Officers To Old Addresses
Local agencies use electronic “wanted” notices entered into regional systems like REJIS. These databases can include a subject’s last known address from various sources, including state records and court documents.
If any of those records are outdated, the system can direct officers to the wrong address even after the person has moved. St. Louis County has issued thousands of wanted notices since 2017, and reporting by St. Louis Public Radio notes that the practice has drawn lawsuits and court scrutiny over the potential for wrongful stops and arrests.
Experts: Better Coordination Could Reduce Risk
Anders Walker, a law professor at Saint Louis University, says Brown’s situation is not uncommon. He adds that law enforcement agencies could improve procedures by cross-checking addresses before sending officers to a residence.
Walker, a professor of criminal procedure and legal history, notes that databases used for wanted notices do not always reflect current addresses. In a statement to First Alert 4, he called for greater coordination among courts, probation offices, and local police departments to prevent families from being repeatedly disturbed by visits intended for someone else.
What Neighbors Can Do
Legal advocates advise that if officers visit a home looking for someone who no longer lives there, residents should document the encounter. Record the date and time, the officers’ names and badge numbers, the agency they represent, and whether they present a warrant.
St. Louis County Police provides non-emergency contact information on its website. The department’s non-emergency line is 636-529-8210, and its headquarters address is listed online.
Residents who believe repeated visits or mistaken-identity stops have put them at risk or violated their rights can contact local legal organizations for assistance with complaints or next steps. One such organization is ArchCity Defenders, which focuses on civil-rights issues in the region.
