Right of Entry Program

The Dayton Police Department recently implemented a program that will enable police officers to work with business and rental property and vacant lot owners to enforce criminal trespass laws. The program, called "Right of Entry", works as follows:
Business, rental property and vacant lot owners complete a Right of Entry (ROE) Agreement. The agreement, which is notarized, contains the owner's emergency or after hours telephone number. Officers will have access to this information, 24 hours of the day, seven days of the week.
The property owner gives consent for the Dayton Police Department to enter common areas of rental properties and businesses during non-business hours.
By signing the agreement, business, rental property and vacant lot owners agree to cooperate in the prosecution of persons charged with criminal trespass.
Property owners must post and maintain ROE stickers on all entry doors, or, in the case of a vacant lot, posted on a visible, permanent sign. Posting ROE stickers must occur within 48 hours of signing the agreement.
For a first time offense, officers will issue violators a criminal warning tag. The warning tag will contain the following language: "As an agent of the above premises, I hereby warn you not to return to this address without written permission of the owner."
The no trespassing period remains in effect for three years. Subsequent violations of the trespassing ordinance may result in an arrest, provided probable cause exists to do so.

Officers frequently discover individuals inside vacant businesses or rental properties who claim to have permission to be on the premises. In many cases, the officers do not have the ability to verify the claim, as they do not have access to the property owner's name or telephone number. Participation in this program eliminates this problem.
If you or someone you know owns a business, rental property or vacant lot, and are interested in learning more about this program, please contact the First District at 333-1290. I will distribute additional information about this program at tomorrow's meeting of the Northeast Priority Board. Officers attending upcoming neighborhood association meetings will also distribute information about the program.