During the question and answer portion of the neighborhood watch meeting Nov. 6, police officers answered the following questions:

Q: Can I use physical force to remove someone from my property?

A: Lt. Scott John said, “You can’t use deadly force to defend property, but can use physical force. However, if they cross the threshold of your home, you can use deadly force under the Castle Doctrine.”

Q: How will the neighborhood watch communicate with the police departments?

A: John said, “A sworn officer or representative of each department will be designated as the neighborhood watch liaison. The coordinator will contact the liaison and vice versa when information needs to be passed along.”

Q: Will an officer give a reason for not responding to a call from the neighborhood watch?

A: John said the liaison can look into why an officer was unable to respond to a call, and inform the watch coordinator.

Q: What is the best way to protect property?

A: Invest in a camera system so the police have a suspect.

Q: What can be done about the dumpster divers?

A: It is not illegal for someone to go through the dumpster unless it is on private property. If it is at the curb ready to be picked up by the trash man, then no laws were broken. Do not leave any self-identifying, personal information in the trash.