A Board member has been investigating the issue of people trespassing on our property for many months now. Discussions have occurred between Officer Paul Peterson of the Kent Police Dept., the Kenthill Townhomes Homeowners Association Board, .and Suhrco Residential Properties. The Kent Police Dept has recently instituted a new program to address this city wide issue. A Board member has met with Officer Peterson, exchanging paperwork and information, and has signed up Kenthill Townhomes to be one of the first participants of this new program. Soon, the new signs mentioned below will be installed.
The following are excerpts from the form required to sign up for the new program:
Trespass is when a person knowingly enters or remains of unlawfully in or on the premises of another. First degree is in a building. Second degree is in on any other premises. Premises is any building, dwelling or any real property (for example, land).
A person, “…enters or remains unlawfully…” in or on a premises when he is not licensed invited, or otherwise privileged to so enter or remain
The Kent Police Department has instituted a “Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program. This program invites officers of the Kent Police Dept. to:
(1) Enter your business property during non business hours to determine whether individuals found there have a legitimate business reason to be on your property.
(2) If the officer as probable cause to believe that the person is trespassing, the officer may ask the person to leave the premises, or arrest the person for trespassing, and/or other crimes as appropriate.
(3) If the officer makes an arrest, the officer will list you as a witness in the case based on of the information you provided in this authorization.
This program does not increase the police patrolling of your property.
To participate in this program you must:
(1) Complete and sign the Trespass Enforcement Authorization Form. The original of this form must be on file at the Kent Police Station. In this form you:
(a) Appoint all Kent Police Officers as your agents for the purpose of enforcing trespass law.
(b) State that no one has permission to use the property during nonbusiness hours for any purpose not directly and clearly related to your business.
(c) State that you will testify in court if called to do so.
(2) Post “No Trespassing” signs at the logical entry points to your property, driveways, and sidewalks.
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(3) Testifiy in court if called on to do so.
All Kent police officers will be notified when the completed Trespass Enforcement Authorization form is at the Kent Police Station and “No Trespassing” signs are posted.
These signs must substantially state, “Trespassing prohibited. No loitering. Violators Subject to Arrest and Prosecution”. [“Kent City Code 9.02, RCW 9A.52”]
[Our signs have been purchased through the Kent Police Employees Benevolent Association.]
Discussions have also occurred between Kenthill Townhomes and Easthill Apartments regarding this issue, and they also expressed an interest in participating in the program.
