I disagree. Using a community caretaking exception to void the warrant exception is a thinly veiled run around the protections of the 4th Amendment. The fact that she didn't also check the other 2 units with open doors at the time also is inconsistent with a community caretaking concern. Wouldn't those open doors also raise the same suspicions?
I just got done watching the exterior security video of my neighbor. I only have video and audio from inside the unit on my camera. His video (with no audio) shows her approach to my nearly fully closed door, pause for less than 2 seconds, then push the door open and enter the unit. Presumably she called out during that very brief pause.
My audio you can hear her faintly call "hello", and clearly here me respond "coming" (admittedly I am much closer to the microphones at that point).
So no, I absolutely believe the totality of the circumstances in no way justifies her entrance into the private space of my unit. Nor do I think the exigent circumstances she would be able to articulate would withstand Judicial scrutiny. I also can't immediately recall any Illinois or U.S. Case Law that has upheld a search on such weak exigencies.
If her motive is community caretaking, this is how I think things should have played out ideally.
She makes her inquiry at the doorway and waits a reasonable time for that inquiry to be answered. I answer her query at the door within a reasonable time. Her suspicions are eased, my sense of security is heightened, nobodies rights are violated.........Have a Nice DAY! I am not the one who deviated from that script.

