A Trespass Letter is a specifically worded document which has been approved to allow law enforcement to take enforcement action on your behalf without contacting you first.
Law enforcement officers do not have the authority to go onto private property and remove individuals or request them to leave without the consent of the property owner. If an officer observes someone on private property when the business is closed, or a problem is called in by someone who does not have the authority to sign a trespass complaint, Law Enforcement must then contact the person who is legally responsible for the property before enforcement action can be taken. A Trespass Letter stands in place of that contact and gives law enforcement permission to act on the property owner’s/manager’s behalf in trespass situations. In this way, law enforcement who observe trespassers on private property can more immediately address the problem rather than be delayed in acting or be unable to take action at all.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO?
In addition to filing the trespass letter, your property must be posted with “No Trespassing” signs.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Should an officer respond to your property, he/she will be notified by dispatch if there is a Trespass Letter on file with our agency. Once the letter has been confirmed, the officer will take the appropriate action.
DOES MY TRESPASS LETTER EXPIRE?
In order to make sure we are still acting in accordance with your wishes, the letters expire yearly. Please submit annually on the anniversary of the document.
TO SUBMIT A TRESPASS LETTER:
Unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County
