LAPD Provides Updates on Trespass Forms, Checkpoint Maps, and Security Companies

By Laurel Busby

News & Information Editor

To reduce confusion among Pacific Palisades residents, Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin sent out an email clarifying issues surrounding trespass authorization forms, checkpoint maps, and new security companies in town.

According to Espin’s email, misinformation is being passed through several social media platforms that trespass authorization forms are required for all properties.  However, for private residences, the forms are not required to make a trespass arrest.

“If officers are driving around and see suspicious activity, or somebody on [a] property they believe is up to no good, the officers can stop the individual(s) and still conduct an investigation and or arrest if there is probable cause without the form,” Espin said in the email. “The form additionally allows officers to make an arrest under the 41.24 LAMC without the property owner or agent of on premises. The trespass signs are also an additional tool as a warning for trespassing. For residences that are still standing, signs are not required (due to the expectation of privacy) but like the form it is an extra tool. The forms are kept at the front desk in order for officers to call in or check for themselves.”

In addition, Espin shared the reason that maps of checkpoints and license plate reader cameras have not been released. He said the IMT (Incident Management Team) at Will Rogers Command Post “did not want the locations to be inadvertently disseminated through social media where people outside the Palisades may attempt to evade the checkpoints and cameras to get into the area.”

Three new security companies, GSG, Allied Universal, and Absolute, have also begun patrolling parts of the Palisades to support LAPD. since the Pacific Coast Highway has been reopened. Espin emphasized that these new security guards are “intended to be a supplement, not competition” for existing security companies that are privately contracted to patrol the same areas.

The new guards are armed in highly visible, marked vehicles and asked to report suspicious activity, according to Espin. Their current schedule includes three watches operating during the following hours: GSG (6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.), Allied Universal (2:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.), and Absolute (11:30 p.m.-7:30 a.m.).