Community Encampment Response Team

In addition to being a complicated public policy issue, homelessness is a humanitarian crisis. On top of that, unmanaged encampments on private property can create immediate operational, liability, and safety risks for tenants and homeowners. Customer aversion, vandalism, and blocked access can also reduce your property’s value and NOI.

That is where the services of our seasoned security experts at Green Knight Security come in, offering you and your property maximum security. We assist property managers in upholding local laws, de-escalating and resolving incidents, and coordinating with local law enforcement and outreach partners to protect places, people, and brand reputations.

As the number of encampments increases, having an encampment response team on standby can help reduce your liability as a property owner. Do not hesitate to contact us wherever you are in Los Angeles to discuss various security solutions we can offer you to ensure your and your property’s safety.

What Encampments Are and How They Can Affect Property Values and Business Operations

Homeless encampments are informal settlements (tents, vehicles, and structures) where homeless people live. In most cases, you are more likely to find encampments along highways, under bridges, and in parks, and people who live here often lack access to basic needs. Generally speaking, more than half a million people nationwide go unhoused, representing about 0.2 percent of the country’s population.

Homelessness was first recognized as a national problem in 1870, and the problem has since become worse. Unfortunately, as the number of encampments grows, you will face increased liability as a property or homeowner, necessitating the use of an encampment response team.

Recurrent public disorder and encampment can reduce foot traffic, raise operating costs, and lower sales. Emerging empirical research has started to quantify these impacts. For example:

• A recent study of Los Angeles homes found that approximately 41% of properties with homeless encampments within 0.2-0.3 miles sold for an average of 1.41% less than comparable homes. That translates to over $752 million spread across more than 49,000 properties.

• The City Auditor’s report on the city’s homeless response summarizes that homelessness-related sanitation, enforcement, and service costs have increased significantly for municipalities

In industrial parks, retail centers, and multifamily communities, the impacts of homelessness are straightforward. However, an encampment response team can help protect your asset or property value through lawful and consistent control, supported by partnerships, documentation, and police outreach.

Security Solutions That a Security Company Could Offer to Protect Your Property from Encampment-Related Issues

When you partner with a security company as your encampment response team, they will work with you to determine the appropriate security solution for your home or private property. Here are four security options that can meet your specific needs and ensure maximum security in your home or private property, especially if they are near homeless encampments:

1. An Off-duty Law Enforcement Officer to Provide Security for Your Home or Private Property

When choosing security services, it is critical to work with an experienced and highly trained police officer whose primary responsibility is protection and security. Because law enforcement officers are frequently exposed to a variety of security risks and threats, an off-duty law enforcement officer may be an ideal option for your home or private property. Off-duty officers are sharp and skilled in every situation.

Contrary to popular belief, a police officer’s authority does not diminish when they are not on duty. Even when a police officer is off-duty, he/she cannot watch a homeless or unhoused person commit a crime and refuse to intervene.

The officer has the power to make an arrest or even request backup if a potentially dangerous situation arises, making them the perfect security personnel for your property if you are worried about theft or break-ins.

Although the majority of security guards aspire to become law enforcers, becoming a security guard is not a direct route to becoming a law enforcement officer. Outstanding qualities that make off-duty police officers different from typical security guards or personnel include the following:

• Interpersonal skill

• Communication skills

• Exceptional moral character

• Dedicated and committed to the community

• Critical thinking

• Problem-solving skills

These essential characteristics enable security personnel to handle situations with the least amount of disruption. These officers know when to use force and when to warn suspects before taking action. As long as the officer has proper identification, he/she has the authority to carry a hidden gun anywhere.

To that end, an off-duty police officer can provide security services to homeowners and property owners and respond to threats from homeless or unhoused people more effectively and efficiently than a typical security guard. Hiring an off-duty enforcement officer is also advantageous because he/she comprehends the law and can enforce it where necessary.

As a property owner or homeowner, knowing you have a skilled expert who can enforce the law can provide peace of mind. You can trust an armed law enforcement officer to keep you, your assets, and your loved ones safe at all times. Depending on your unique needs, the off-duty police officer could show up in an official uniform, business attire, or plainclothes.

A uniformed law enforcement officer can offer you more protection and security than a typical security guard. When a homeless or unhoused person is considering committing a crime within your property, the presence of a uniformed officer may cause them to reconsider.

2. Patrol and Surveillance of Your Home or Private Property

If you are a homeowner or property owner, you could benefit from the patrol and surveillance services if you need security in your home or private property, but you do not need posted security guards permanently. Your encampment response team will offer you the services explained below:

• Help open all of the facilities that were locked the night before at a particular time

• Respond to your home alarms and determine whether there was a forcible entry, and call the police when necessary

• Help install security cameras to deter the homeless or unhoused people from loitering around your private property

• Remote live video monitoring with a seasoned security expert constantly monitoring feeds from your security cameras

• Survey your property or home to identify potential security vulnerabilities. Site surveys can help determine whether the preexisting security measures are effective and whether you need an upgrade of your security measures on your private property or home

• Help conduct after-hours door checks to ensure all doors are locked and alarms are set. Even if you have an off-duty security officer to keep an eye on your property, ensuring all your properties’ doors are safe and secure at night is crucial

• Help secure and lock your garage, swimming pool area, outbuildings, and other facilities at the time you choose

3. Armed Security Protection Services for Your Home or Private Property

Police officers are always searching for ways to reduce homelessness and crime. However, private security personnel outnumber law enforcement officers. According to a Forbes report, there were 660,000 police officers and 1,100,000 private security personnel in 2017. That means the lack of resources, time, and personnel limits law enforcement agencies.

As a result, it is nearly impossible for law enforcement officers to enter private residences to offer safety and security services, making collaboration with a security company a more efficient and cost-effective solution. Although having armed security guards on your property or home has many advantages, their primary responsibilities are to deter possible threats and respond quickly to any that occur.

An experienced security company will understand how to deal with your specific situation while prioritizing your safety and that of your property. Generally speaking, having armed security personnel on your property will discourage intruders from committing crimes or making dangerous threats. Additionally, their presence also conveys that you prioritize your and your property’s safety seriously.

In addition to watching over your property, an encampment response team will monitor the activities and visitors. They do that by monitoring the exits and entrances to your premises by searching all individuals.

The guards you will work with will accomplish this by monitoring the entrances and exits to your property and searching all visitors and their luggage to ensure that nobody brings an unlawful substance into your home. The security guards are also properly trained to identify and address suspicious incidents and situations before they escalate into criminal offenses. These experts help do that by:

• Breaking up loitering groups or unhoused people

• Performing random patrol visits

• Implementing access control

• Reporting unusual behaviors or conduct to the relevant authorities

4. Unarmed Security Guarding Services for Your Private Property

It is your duty as a homeowner or property owner to ensure that your property and everyone on the premises are safe. You cannot overlook or take these critical duties lightly, especially with the growing number of encampments and unhoused individuals. One effective way to protect your worthwhile investment and loved ones is to hire unarmed security personnel.

While most people believe that armed guards provide the best security solution, that is not necessarily true. There are several reasons why hiring unarmed security personnel would be an excellent choice for your facility.

Generally speaking, the security firm you choose should help you determine a cost-effective and appropriate security strategy for your home or property. Some of the factors your prospective security company will consider when determining a suitable security plan that suits your unique preferences include the following:

• Whether you have many people who live in the property or home

• Whether your property or home contains several precious items, including cash, jewelry, and equipment

• Whether the location of the property is prone to criminal activities

Your security company is more likely to recommend working with unarmed security personnel if you do not have valuable items on your property and the location has a low crime rate. Working with unarmed security personnel in your home or property has numerous benefits. An unarmed officer serves as your primary defense against unwanted visitors and trespassers.

The presence of an unarmed officer on your property or home can help deter vandals, trespassers, and criminals from attempting to destroy or camp there. When an incident occurs, these officers will be the first ones to respond, utilizing their training and experience to address any ongoing security risk.

Unarmed security officers can quickly resolve disputes without weapons. Other advantages of working with unarmed security personnel on your private property include the following:

• They provide you with peace of mind — It gives you a sense of security and tranquility to know that a trustworthy person is watching over your property to keep it safe from potential damage by homeless people.

• Their services are affordable — If you have any cost concerns as a homeowner or property owner, working with unarmed security personnel could be a cost-friendly option, particularly if your home or property is not in a location that is prone to crimes

The Legal Environment That Security Guards and Property Managers Work In

Local laws assist security guards and property managers in determining how to handle structures, tents, and camp “paraphernalia” on or near your property. Here are two vital roles that security guards and property managers consider when making their decisions:

1. Penal Code 647e

Under Penal Code (PC) 646e, it is illegal to lodge, also commonly referred to as “squatting,” in a vehicle, structure, place, or building, whether private or public, without the owner’s consent or permission to take possession.

While the enforcement of this law has become controversial due to the growing rate of homelessness and housing prices, this offense could attract misdemeanor penalties after conviction, including a fine of not more than $1,000 and up to 1 year in jail.

2. Penal Code 602

PC 602 makes it illegal to stay or enter another person’s property or home without his/her permission. Remaining on another person’s property after being asked to leave could also attract trespass charges under PC 602. A conviction under this statute could attract the following potential misdemeanor penalties:

• Up to six months of jail time

• A fine not exceeding $1,000

Criminal enforcement could be necessary when someone commits any of these offenses. However, a security guard will act only within his/her authority and training, prioritizing documentation, engagement, observation, and reporting.

Factors to Consider When Looking for a Security Company to Provide Protection Against Security Risks Associated with Encampments

In addition to being a threat to people’s safety, unhoused people or homeless people living in encampments could pose a safety risk on your property or home. If you are looking for a reliable security company or encampment response team to protect your home or private property, you should consider the following factors:

1. Whether the Security Guard Officers are Familiar With Local Laws

A security guard who understands local laws will know when to involve law enforcement when handling conflicts or any other security issues. For example, when someone trespasses on a property and refuses to leave, a security guard can report the matter to law enforcement officers for appropriate legal action.

2. Whether the Team is Courteous

A reliable security company should have courteous and respectful security guards who can document and escalate issues when necessary. The training of a security guard emphasizes precise record-keeping and respectful contact, which are vital when a case escalates to a criminal matter and law enforcement intervention is required.

3. Whether the Company Offers Flexible Security Services

The security company you partner with can tailor their services based on your budget, where your property is located, and other risks. For instance, where you live and whether you have valuable items in your home will determine whether the security company will give you armed or unarmed security officers.

The Unknown Costs of Homeless Encampments and Reasons Why Securing Security Against Them is Vital

When homeless people set up encampments on your private property, the associated costs could extend far beyond the immediate visual impact. As a property owner or homeowner, you could face the following:

1. Safety and Health Risks

Human waste, dirty needles, and other waste materials could pose a safety and health risk to you, employees, customers, and other users of the property.

2. Extensive Clean-Up Costs

Removing hazardous, trash, and biohazardous materials, including syringes and needles, may require the services of a specialist, which is costly.

3. Reputation Damage

A neglected property will affect nearby businesses and reduce the community’s overall appeal.

4. Property Damage

Vandalism and fires are other security issues associated with homeless encampments, which can leave you with costly repair work.

If your home or property is near a homeless encampment, working with a security firm to provide security services is a decision you cannot regret. In addition to protecting your safety, the security company can offer you specialized services to protect your property value.