Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Announces Commencement of Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is announcing today the commencement of the Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program. 

Under the program, a property owner, or their legal representative, may provide advance authorization for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office to enforce the trespass laws of the state of South Carolina in the unincorporated areas of Oconee County.  The program is strictly voluntary. 

The property owner, or their legal representative, must submit an application and notarized affidavit on a form supplied by the Sheriff’s Office in order to participate in the program.  On the application form, the applicant may identify where it proposes to have posted a conspicuous notice(s) that states during designated days and hours of the week, including up to 24 hours a day, that members of the public are not authorized to enter or remain on the premises, or some portion thereof, during those designated days or hours of the week.

For those property owners, or their legal representative who sign up for the program, they grant the Sheriff’s Office permission to enter the premises at any time to inspect, implement and enforce the Trespass Statute on the basis of the posting and the designated hours and days that are listed on the application.  If any individual(s) are found on the premises during the designated days and hours, the Sheriff’s Office can charge those individual(s) with trespassing without having to contact the property owner or their legal representative. 

The program allows those who participate to specify any reasonable exceptions for the agreement, such as authorized persons who have permission to be on the premises. 

For those who complete the application and submit an authorized affidavit, the Sheriff’s Office will conduct a site visit and determine if the location is appropriate for program participation.  If the property is approved for the program, the Sheriff’s Office will also determine the number of conspicuous notice(s) and their placement. 

The conspicuous notice(s) are signs that contain language that states the days and times set forth for no trespassing under Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program.  The property owners, or their legal representatives, will be required to pay for the cost of the signs. 

For property owners, or their legal representatives, who are interested in the Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program, and may have further questions, they may contact Captain Tommy Crompton with the Uniform Patrol Bureau at 864-638-4111.