Officers as Agents of the Landlord

The Takoma Park Police Department offers a program in which landlords can contractually agree to allow police officers to act as agents for the purpose of enforcing trespassing laws.  This allows the police department to warn and remove individuals from properties where they do not reside and where they are causing disturbances.  If the individual(s) returns, he/she is subject to arrest for violation of trespassing laws without the need to rely on the landlord having to appear in court.  The program is a highly useful tool in combating chronic disorderly behavior, drug offenses and other nuisance violations that tend to center around apartment complexes and other business areas.

How Does it Work?

An Agreement is signed between the Chief of Police and the landlord/property owner (restricted to apartment complexes and business areas only).  Signs can then be placed on the property that warns potential offenders of the property’s participation in the program.  If an officer responds to a call or otherwise observes disorderly behavior by a non-resident, on a property under an Agreement, he/she can order the individual to leave and then “post” that individual for trespassing (advising the person that he/she may not return to the property, and if they do, they are subject to arrest).  A record is kept by the police department of these postings, which can be accessed through the dispatcher by other officers who may subsequently come into contact with the individual(s) should he/she return to the property.

Any questions about this program can be forwarded to the Office of the Chief of Police, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912.  If you qualify and would like to participate in this program, please email cathyp@takomaparkmd.gov for an Officers as Agents of the Landlord Agreement.