Vacant Property Security That Stops Squatters and Fires
Patrols, guards and 602 letter support that keep vacant buildings, foreclosures and lots free of trespassers.
An empty building does not stay empty for long. Trespassers strip copper and fixtures, squatters move in, and fires started for warmth or cooking can destroy the structure and threaten neighbors. In 2026, residents of a downtown Los Angeles block told reporters that vacant buildings near them had caught fire roughly ten to twelve times in two months, after repeated break ins.
Owners carry the responsibility. Los Angeles code requires vacant structures to be cleared of debris, barricaded, fenced and posted closed to the public. California law also gives owners a tool: since 2024, a Penal Code 602 trespass authorization letter filed with local police can stay in effect up to a year, or up to three years for property that is permanently closed and posted. Blackout combines fast detection with documentation: scheduled patrols with GPS and photo proof, posted guards for high risk sites, and reports that support your 602 letter and police response.
What we protect against
- Squatters occupying vacant homes and units
- Encampments forming on vacant lots and around closed buildings
- Fires started by trespassers inside vacant structures
- Copper wire, plumbing and fixture theft
- Graffiti and illegal dumping
- Liability for injuries to trespassers or neighbors
What we provide
- Scheduled and random mobile patrols with NFC checkpoint scans, GPS, and photo proof
- Posted overnight guards for high risk sites
- Perimeter checks of fencing, boards, locks and signage
- Trespass documentation that supports your 602 authorization letter
- Immediate police calls and owner alerts for trespass or fire
- Photo reports of graffiti, dumping and damage for code compliance
Rules and requirements
- SB 602 (Chapter 404, Statutes of 2023), effective January 1, 2024, amended Penal Code 602(o) so a single written trespass request covering a fire hazard or the owner's absence can last up to 12 months, or a shorter period set by local ordinance, instead of 30 days. A request for property closed to the public and posted as closed can also last up to 12 months.
- In the City of Los Angeles, LAMC 98.0706 and 98.0708 require the owner or person in control of a vacant structure to remove debris, secure all openings, fence the entire lot and post the property as closed to the public.
- SB 448, which would have created a law enforcement process to remove squatters from residential property, died in the Senate on February 2, 2026. Occupants who claim tenancy may need to be removed through the court eviction process.
General information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements for your license and location.
Example program with more than one officer
Example for a vacant commercial building awaiting redevelopment: mobile patrol four times nightly with GPS and photo proof of every door, window and fence line, plus one unarmed guard posted from 8 pm to 6 am for the first 30 days after closing, when trespass attempts are most frequent. Once the site is secured and stable, scale down to patrol only.
Questions we get
Can your guards remove squatters?
No. Our officers observe, document and call police. Police can act on trespass, especially with a current 602 letter on file, but occupants who claim tenancy may need to be removed through the court process.
What is a 602 letter?
It is a written request, on a form from your local law enforcement agency, asking officers to help remove trespassers from property that is not open to the public. Under Penal Code 602(o), one request can cover up to 12 months for property closed to the public and posted as closed, or up to 12 months (or a shorter local limit) during a fire hazard or the owner's absence.
Is patrol enough, or do I need a posted guard?
Patrol works for most stable vacant properties. Posted guards make sense right after a property is vacated, after a break in, or where fires or encampments have already occurred.
Do you send proof of each check?
Yes. Every patrol check includes a time stamp, GPS location and photos.
Which officers fit
Most sites need one officer type. Larger sites and events sometimes use more than one.
Unarmed guards
Primary
Unarmed guards fit posted coverage at large vacant buildings and lots, especially overnight when fires and break ins occur.
Armed guards
Common
Armed officers fit sites with repeated violent encounters or structures with valuable salvage under active theft.
Off duty police officers
As needed
Off duty or retired law enforcement fits initial site clearing support and situations where clear documentation for police is critical.
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Where we cover vacant property and trespass
Not sure what you need? Call or text (909) 927-7001 and talk to the owner directly, or send us a few details.