Policy Text
Procedure
4282Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/08/07, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentANTI-TRESPASSING PROGRAM - 1ANTI-TRESPASSING PROGRAM
4282.1 PURPOSE
These procedures will familiarize officers with guidelines established for the implementation and
enforcement of an anti-trespassing program designed to address trespassing that occurs on
private property with public access.
4282.2 INTRODUCTION
The Santa Ana Police Department is implementing an anti-trespassing program in response to an
increased number of complaints from business owners regarding trespassing on private property
parking lots. This program will enforce the provisions of Penal Code 602(k) to deter persons from
loitering or congregating on private property without the consent of property owners. The program
allows officers to act as agents of the property owner and lawfully detain suspected violators for
identification and arrest when appropriate by enforcing trespass violations that occur on private
commercial properties. Officers should review the Penal Code for the appropriate sections to use
when residential property is involved.
4282.3 DEFINITIONS
4282.3.1 PENAL CODE 602(K) TRESPASS
Entering any lands, whether unenclosed or enclosed by fence, for the purpose of injuring any
property or property rights or with the intention of interfering with, obstructing, or injuring any lawful
business or occupation carried on by the owner of the land, the owner's agent or by the person
in lawful possession.
Pursuant to Penal Code § 602(k) (Trespassing) a violation occurs when a subject enters private
property for purposes other than which the property owner intended. Normally, the intended use
is to conduct business with tenants at the property and not to interfere with the operations of the
property owner. Interference with operations may include nightly cleaning of parking lots or the
availability of parking to business patrons.
When it has been determined a violation has occurred, the subject(s) can be detained for
identification. An arrest can be made when the person, after being advised to leave by a police
officer, remains on or returns to the property. Officers should take into consideration and use
caution when persons on the property are soliciting charitable contributions or are conducting
other lawful activities that are protected by the United States or California Constitutions.
4282.3.2 PENAL CODE 602(O) TRESPASS
Refusing or failing to leave land, real property, or structures belonging to or lawfully occupied by
another and not open to the general public, upon being requested to leave by (1) a peace officer
at the request of the owner, the owner’s agent, or the person in lawful possession, and upon being
informed by the peace officer that he or she is acting at the request of the owner, the owner’s
agent, or the person in lawful possession, or (2) the owner, the owner’s agent, or the person in
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
ANTI-TRESPASSING PROGRAM
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/08/07, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentANTI-TRESPASSING PROGRAM - 2lawful possession. The owner, the owner’s agent, or the person in lawful possession shall make
a separate request to the peace officer on each occasion when the peace officer’s assistance in
dealing with a trespass is requested.
4282.4 PREPARATION FOR ENFORCEMENT
Prior to enforcement, a Department member will contact affected property owners. Property
owners wishing to have the SAPD personnel act as their agents to enforce trespass violations on
their property will be expected to:
1.Post approved signs at all entrances and at various conspicuous locations within the
parking lot. The sign should use contrasting colors and have 2” lettering (Signs must
be in compliance with Penal Code 553(a). The sign should state the following:
A."Warning Private Property: Entry to parking lot and building is for tenants and
their clients only. Violators will be prosecuted. California Penal Code Section
602"
2.Business should have a universal sign posted that states the following:
A.Business is ”Closed to the public” and the hours (Am/Pm) in which the business
is closed. The posted sign should be clear and visible. See provided example
of sign attached to the form as Appendix A.
3.Grant SAPD permission to act as their agent by requesting offenders leave the
property. Permission can be in person or in writing if the owner is absent. Requests
must be renewed every six months. See example of written request form attached as
Appendix B.
4282.5 DOCUMENTATION OF LOCATIONS
When a business or property owner requests to participate in the program and has complied with
the requirements, an information report will be taken to document receipt of the signed letter and
the name and contact information for the property. Subsequent letters received will be documented
by a supplemental report using the original case number. A premise entry will be made for the
address to advise officers the property is in compliance.
4282.6 CONTACTING SUSPECTED OFFENDERS
Officers will respond to dispatched violations and observed violations. When an officer has
reasonable suspicion, or develops reasonable suspicion during a consensual encounter, that the
subject is trespassing, the officer may detain and identify the individual. Contacting a suspected
trespasser is a valid detention for as reasonable amount of time it takes to complete this
investigation. A record will be made of the subject’s ID, the advising officer’s ID, the time, and
that the