Bob Golden points to the “No Trespassing” sign that is no longer effective. David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record
Bob Golden points to the “No Trespassing” sign that is no longer effective. David Edward Albright/Tri-City Recordcca

San Juan County resident Bob Golden recently discovered that a “No Trespassing” sign needs more information, including the name of the owner or person in charge of allowing entry. It also needs an address.

Golden said that last week a woman entered his property on Road 3450 in Flora Vista, which had a “Private Property, No Trespassing” sign on the fence near the open gate. The woman entered his property and confronted the tenant, he said.

According to Golden, she told the tenant who was renting a recreational vehicle space that he was squatting on property owned by her cousin.

Golden’s tenant, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he was working on a project outside at the time.

“There was a woman across the road standing by a gate looking at a piece of property, and then she came across the road onto the property where I live, and up the driveway and I had earplugs in because I was running a saw, she asked me, have I seen anybody over there on that land because it’s my cousin’s land.”

“And I said, No, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you, because it’s none of my business, he said. ”And she replied, Well, I didn’t say it was, and as soon as she got cute with me, I told her to leave the property.”

He said she called him names, and that after he ran her off, she continued to berate and accuse him of squatting from across the road.

He then called his landlord.

Golden followed the woman, who was on a motorbike, to Farmers Market, 816 Higheway 516 in Flora Vista. He saw her with two Sheriff’s deputies and pulled over.

“I saw her talking to the deputies already, and I just pulled over and one of the deputies talked to me and the other one continued to talk to her. … She finally left and went on her way,” said Golden.

Golden complied by purchasing a new trespassing sign, costing $77, with his name and phone number. David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record
Golden complied by purchasing a new trespassing sign, costing $77, with his name and phone number. David Edward Albright/Tri-City Recordcca

According to Golden, the deputy told him the trespassing sign he had was not valid after a 2023 ruling.

“It required that the not only do you have no trespassing on the sign, but it has to contain either the owner or the person that’s in charge of the property, their name and their phone number,” Golden said.

However, state statute Article 14, Section 3014-6, does not require that no-trespassing signs contain a phone number. It does list requirements about sign size, and where they shall be posted.

Golden noted that sign cost can mount.

“It’s nice that the information is on there … say an officer wanted to call about someone squatting on their property. So that’s the that’s the positive thing to it. But the negative thing is, it’s just gonna cost more for the signs,” Golden said.

Sheriff’s Capt. Kevin Burns input

Capt. Kevin Burns of the Sheriff’s Office provided some clarification on the trespassing sign requirements in a phone conversation on Thursday. He said his deputy had misspoken with Golden.

“And he did misspeak, according to the body worn camera. And so I spoke with his chain of command, and they contacted the deputy, and the deputy went back and spoke to Mr. Golden and explained that he misspoke, and got that cleaned up,” Burns said.

He said they have no further comment on this and the statute hasn’t changed.

“My only thought process is from a from a citizen standpoint, I would rather have an address than a phone number, because you never know who’s going to call and harass you,” Burns said.

New Mexico Statute Article 14, Section 30-14-6A. The owner, lessee or person lawfully in possession of real property in New Mexico, except property owned by the state or federal government, desiring to prevent trespass or entry onto the real property shall post notices parallel to and along the exterior boundaries of the property to be posted, at each roadway or other way of access in conspicuous places, and if the property is not fenced, such notices shall be posted every five hundred feet along the exterior boundaries of such land. B. The notices posted shall prohibit all persons from trespassing or entering upon the property, without permission of the owner, lessee, person in lawful possession or his agent. The notices shall:(1) be printed legibly in English.(2) be at least one hundred forty-four square inches in size.(3) contain the name and address of the person under whose authority the property is posted or the name and address of the person who is authorized to grant permission to enter the property.(4) be placed at each roadway or apparent way of access onto the property, in addition to the posting of the boundaries; and(5) where applicable, state any specific prohibition that the posting is directed against, such as “no trespassing,” “no hunting,” “no fishing,” “no digging” or any other specific prohibition. C. Any person who posts public lands contrary to state or federal law or regulation [regulation] is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.