Forty commercial properties in downtown Moose Jaw have signed up for the Moose Jaw Police Service’s Trespass Prevention Pilot Program so far. 

Sgt. Ryan Lawrence said at Friday’s police board meeting that the 40 businesses are keeping them busy in terms of completing the initial site visits. “That’s opening up some discussion – some good discussion – about what’d been going on.” 

“It’s taking a little longer to do that, but it’s actually probably more beneficial in the long run to be going out, meeting, and doing the sticker placement and the chat with them,” added Lawrence.  

According to Lawrence, 10 businesses outside of the current pilot limits have indicated that they want to be included once the program expands.  

Through the program, commercial property owners of businesses or multi-unit dwellings can sign up to allow police to act as the building’s owners when the property is vacant or after business hours.  

After owners sign up, police come to do a site visit and place decals on the exits and entrances to signify the property’s inclusion in the program.  

The current pilot is open to those properties between Oxford Street and Manitoba Street from north to south, and between 2nd Ave NW and 2nd Ave NE from east to west.  

While the program does not apply to residential properties, Lawrence said police are looking to do a public education piece regarding the rights of homeowners on their social media.  

Commercial property owners can find more information on the MJPS website.