If you work in the security industry as a security guard, loss prevention officer, asset protection agent or even a private investigator doing security consultant work, you know how difficult removing trespassers form private property can be; especially chronic problem people like aggressive panhandlers.

How do you get a a trespasser to leave private property?

Many times a security guard will start out by saying to the trespasser, “You got to leave or I’m calling the police”.

The problem with this is…

1. They have heard this 1,000 times before and nothing has ever happened to them so, they aren’t motivated by this threat.

2. They know there’s a good chance you aren’t actually going to call the cops.

3. They know from vast experience they will be long gone by time the cops show up (even if you do really call them).

So, as a security professional, you have started out the interaction with this trespasser by playing your trump card! You’ve gone right from doing nothing to doing the most you can do! If you don’t get voluntary compliance from the trespasser, you have no further verbal move to get them to leave.

The Magic Words

Next time you need to move a trespasser off your property, try this.

1. Tell them, “You need to leave.”

2. If they refuse ask, “You got any warrants?”

3. They will probably say, “No!”

4. Then you ask them, “You want one?”

5. They answer, “No.”

6. You say, “Well, if you don’t leave, you’re gonna’ get one.”

In my experience they usually just turn and walk away.

Why this works…

Every bad guy who chronically trespasses to aggressively panhandle is a druggie who has been arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant at one time of another.

They associate “warrant” with going to jail.

Logically we all know it’s not happening today, but their association is so strong and unpleasant, the word “warrant” motivates them to act. In this case to leave the property you’re guarding.

Plus this is a phrase (“You got any warrants?”) they’ve only been asked when they are in a situation where they have lost (IE. Gone to jail). This makes all the difference compared to. “I’m gonna’ call the cops”. Every time they’ve ever heard that threat, they’ve “won” (IE. Nothing has happened to them).

This is subtle but powerful.

Use this trick wisely!

P.S. – Don’t miss my book 51 Magic Phrases to Get What You Want: The Secrets of Instant Influence for Private Investigators, Process Servers, Security Guards and You!