New Hopkins Trespassing Ordinance Extends Off-Limits Period

The new ordinance that’s getting the most attention in is a proposed ban on carrying Airsoft guns in public. But the same night that took its first step forward, City Council members also unanimously signed off on the first reading of a proposal that would lengthen the period when people are barred from a property after a trespassing notice.

The ordinance would extend the period from the current 90 days to one year in order to align the city ordinance with state statute, which is also one year.

The extended period would not prevent property owners from deciding to allow someone back on the property sooner.

For example, parents could bar an ex-boyfriend from their home and then allow him back on if he resumed dating their daughter, officials suggested. Property owners would only need to submit a written document to the city.

“That’s people in their own homes. We’re not trying to get involved in that,” said Police Chief Mike Reynolds.

The trespass ordinance is scheduled to go up for a second reading May 1.

Stay up to date on all your local news. Sign up for the Hopkins Patch newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Editor James Warden's Pinterest boards.