What is the Trespass Affidavit Program?

The Tampa Police Department implemented the Trespass Affidavit Program in an effort to assist business and / or property owners in the control of their property during non-business hours or their absence from the premises. When an owner has identified a reoccurring trespassing problem at his or her business or property, the owner or legal representative may request this service. The Trespass Affidavit gives any Tampa Police officer the right to act as the owner's representative in warning anyone found in violation of the affidavit to leave, and to arrest violators if they refuse.

What do you do as the business and/or property owner?

The business owner, representative or property owner completes a one-page Trespass Affidavit containing the following information:

1. Name of the business or property and the location where the Trespass Affidavit is in effect.

2. Identifying demographics of owner or representative along with an address for subpoenas for prosecutorial purposes along with telephone number(s).

3. Signature of the owner or representative.

A notary must complete the remainder of the form and the affidavit must be signed in the presence of the notary by the affiant. The original affidavit is retained by the police department for filing and reference. The completed affidavit may be given to any Tampa Police officer for filing.

What are the business and/or property owner's responsibilities?

The business representative, owner or property owner assumes the following responsibilities. If the  representative or owner no longer wishes the department to act as an agent, they must notify the department in writing. When a representative or owner changes representatives or management, contact numbers or subpoena address, the business or property owner is responsible for filing a new affidavit following the described procedures. If the department or court cannot contact the owner or agent, prosecution will not be pursued.

The representative or owner must affirm their assistance and testimony in an prosecution of persons arrested under the TPD Trespass Affidavit Program.

Trespass Affidavit

TPD Trespass Affidavit Program Placard

The Tampa Police Department is committed to fostering a partnership with the businesses in our community as a means of ensuring public safety. We believe the Trespass Affidavit Program will empower both in dealing with quality of life issues in the business communities, as well as, through the judicial system when resulting arrests are made. It is by working together to make our community safer that we achieve our common goals.