The North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) is implementing an Agent of Trespass agreement with commercial and residential property owners. This agreement authorizes NCPD officers to enforce trespass laws on private property without requiring the owner or a representative to be present.

Under this agreement, officers may contact individuals on private property, determine whether they have lawful purpose or permission to be there, and direct unauthorized persons to leave. Individuals who refuse to leave or who return after being directed to do so may be arrested for trespass after notice.

To establish the agreement, a property owner or authorized representative (such as a property manager) must complete an Agent of Trespass form with any NCPD officer. Agreements are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually.

Property owners may still request officers to issue trespass warnings without an agreement in place. However, this agreement is especially useful for businesses after hours, wooded areas, vacant lots, and other locations where an owner or representative is not readily available.

Our very own Crime Prevention Officer, PFC. Silva, explains the program in the below video.