Loris Police Department gives advice on trespassers

On Monday, April 27, Loris Police Department released their “Loris Police Bulletin” and gave helpful advice on how to deal with trespassers and when to call 911.

The department outlined the following information on trespassing in its bulletin:

Dealing With Trespassers —

The Loris Police Department has received numerous complaints about trespassers in or on many of the business properties. LPD takes these complaints seriously and responds to each one of them as quickly as possible. There are two scenarios that we see the most when it comes to trespassing:

1. The subject needs to be trespassed from the location

2. The subject has returned after being trespassed previously

Trespass After Notice —

SC code of laws (16-11-620) deals specifically with trespassing after notice & refusing to leave on request.

Trespassing after notice essentially means that an authorized employee has previously advised the Subject that they are no longer allowed to be on the property, and that subject returns.

Although there isn’t a timeframe for the trespass to be valid, and can essentially be forever, once the subject is allowed back into, on the property or is invited back, the trespass must be re-established.

Trespass, refusing to leave

This section is used when the subject is on the property, asked to leave by an authorized employee, and fails to do so.

This scenario can be a bit more volatile as you may be dealing with a subject who is irate or disorderly.

Some businesses have opted to not trespass subjects from the property, they just want them to leave. We see this a lot with patrons who are having disagreements with the staff. The subject eventually calms down, leaves on their own and is welcome back at a later time to continue doing business.

Calling 911 —

We have had businesses ask us what the best number is to dial, when they need police assistance. We always recommend calling 911 if it’s an emergency. If it’s not an emergency, then call the no-emergency line at 843-248-1520.

We believe this is the fastest way to get an Officer dispatched to the scene, and yes there will be lots of questions. We encourage all to try to not get frustrated and impatient with the process. These questions give us the necessary information so that we can be prepared upon arrival. The Dispatchers have ways of sending help, before the questions are completed.

What are my responsibilities

Initially, if you don’t want the subject on your property or in your business, you should advise the subject. If you wait until Law Enforcement to arrive to advise them, just know that we may still require you to tell the subject that they are trespassed. It is ultimately the Businesses responsibility to let the subject know that they are not welcome.

As always, the Loris Police Department is here to help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.