Is someone who doesn’t belong there on your business property at 2 a.m.? With a “trespass affidavit” on file, the Houston Police Department can order them off the property without first having to track you down.

The Southwest Management District’s Chinatown Public Safety Subcommittee is hosting its free annual Shredding & Trespass Affidavit event on Friday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sterling Center, 9750 Bellaire Blvd.

What is a trespass affidavit?

A trespass affidavit is a signed, notarized form that lets police act on your behalf when you’re not there. It authorizes officers to enter your property, tell people who don’t belong there to leave and arrest trespassers under Texas Penal Code Section 30.05.

Without one, an officer who spots someone loitering on your lot after hours often has to reach you first. With one on file, police can enforce trespass laws around the clock, even when your business is closed and no manager is on site. That can help prevent vandalism and burglary.

“Trespass affidavits are particularly useful for commercial property owners in the event that we find someone at the location trespassing after hours,” said HPD Capt. Timothy Trometer. “Often, it can be difficult getting ahold of the property owner during the overnight hours, and by having the trespass affidavit on file, we have the necessary information to pursue removing that person and filing charges.”

Homeowners can also apply for a trespass affidavit, but Trometer said police generally don’t have the same trouble reaching residential property owners as they do with commercial properties.

Already have a trespass affidavit? It needs to be renewed every year.

Trometer said HPD will provide all the paperwork needed to complete the affidavits and will have a notary on site.

Can’t make it?You can still file a trespass affidavit on your own. Download the HPD Business Trespass Affidavit or the HPD Residential Trespass Affidavit, have it notarized and submit it to the HPD station or storefront that covers your property.

Shred sensitive documents

A mobile shredding truck will be on site, so you can securely dispose of old bank statements, tax records and anything else with personal information on the spot.

Shredding guidelines:

• Personal documents only. No electronics or appliances.
• Up to five standard-size file boxes per vehicle.

Meet Spot and the Mounted Patrol

After all that “paperwork,” it’s time for something more fun. Spot, HPD’s four-legged robot dog, will appear alongside officers from HPD’s Mounted Patrol and their horses at the event. Bring the kids!

Other District safety programs

This event is part of the Southwest Management District’s broader public safety work, which includes:

• HPD off-duty patrols funded by the District.
• Security patrols by S.E.A.L. Security Solutions along business corridors.
• The Burglary of Motor Vehicle (BMV) Report Card Program, where trained property managers and security staff check parked cars for visible valuables.
• The Special Watch Program, which directs patrols to trouble spots.
• A partnership with the Harris County Attorney’s Office to take legal action against nuisance properties.

Learn more at southwestmanagementdistrict.org.