T.E.A.P. set out to keep small businesses protected in OC

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Ocean City Police Department is urging small businesses in the beach town to take advantage of one of their safety programs.

That is the Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program, set out to keep businesses safe after hours without calling owners late at night. Officials tell us crime increases after hours and on private property they can’t enter without clearance from the owner, who can be hard to reach late at night. Officials say this is a preventative measure because with this form they can enter properties before they make a complaint when it is too late.

“By signing up for the T.E.A.P. program, what the owners and managers would do they would sign what considered a right of the entry form that then will allow us to enter onto that property after hours, during the close season part and take enforcement action on behalf so basically it’s a pre-authorization,” says Ashley Miller, the Communication Manager for OCPD.

If you sign up for this form, police will give you signs free of charge to put on your property so they know they have permission before entering.