The Salem Police Department's Trespass Letter of Consent program allows police officers to enter upon private property to remove individuals or request they leave the property when the property owner or their representative is not immediately available.
If an officer observes someone on private property when the business is closed or a problem has been reported by someone who does not have the authority to sign a trespass complaint, the police department must first contact the person who is legally responsible for the property before taking any enforcement action.
Having a Trespass Letter of Consent on file gives Salem police officers the authority to act on behalf of the property owner or manager in trespass situations due to their absence.