The Brookings Police Department announced the launch pf a new program called Property Watch Tuesday designed to be a partnership with the community that focuses on addressing the ongoing issue facing property and business owners and local authorities.
Without explicit authority granted by owners or persons in control of commercial properties, businesses, and apartment complexes, officers are often unable to address non-crime related nuisance issues, some crimes, notably trespassing and other unwanted activities that occur after business hours or when the owner or manager cannot be contacted.
The Property Watch program allows the person responsible for the property to sign an agreement partnering with this department and authorizes officers to act on the owner’s behalf when they are not there.
This is a free program that is renewed yearly with the Community Resource Officer. Once an agreement is approved, the Community Resource Officer will meet with the representative and prominently post a Property Watch sign with the year so that officers can quickly and easily identify a participant property, and take action to assist in keeping the property safe.
The program, based on similar successful programs used by Astoria Police, Beaverton Police, Coos Bay Police, Pendleton Police, and Salem Police, has a legal foundation based on a signed agreement that provides the authority for police to contact people that are on private property (that are members of Property Watch) and ask them to leave the property. The goal is to have the police legally able to assist in helping keep your property safe when you are not there.
The Property Watch Program is only for commercial properties, businesses, and apartment complexes in the City of Brookings. This program is not for single residential houses.
There is no cost to you to be part of this program. It is renewed yearly and you can withdraw from the program at any time.
The Property Watch agreement can be reviewed by going to the Brookings Police Department webpage at: https://www.brookings.or.us/134/Police-Services
If you would like to sign up for Property Watch, then read the agreement, fill out and sign the agreement, and return all pages to the Brookings Police Department.
