How one Burlington Chamber member's experience highlights the importance of knowing your resources, communicating concerns, and working with local law enforcement.
How one Burlington Chamber member's experience highlights the importance of knowing your resources, communicating concerns, and working with local law enforcement.
For business owners, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for employees, customers, and visitors is a priority. But what happens when repeated trespassing, theft, or other unwanted activity begins affecting your business?
Police Trespass Authorization is one resource Burlington WA business owners may not realize is available through the Burlington Police Department. A recent experience shared by Chamber member Cocusa Motel highlights why knowing your resources, and understanding how to use them, matters.
Through a partnership between property owners, business managers, and local law enforcement, this program provides an additional tool for addressing unauthorized activity on private business property.
A Local Business Shares Its Experience
In September 2026, Cocusa Motel, located on West Rio Vista Avenue in Burlington, began experiencing renewed concerns related to an encampment near the property along Haggen Drive.
According to General Manager Therese Lundvall, the situation had escalated beyond the presence of tents. Motel staff reported theft, panhandling, intimidating encounters, and individuals entering the motel lobby without authorization. Therese also described incidents involving food being taken from the breakfast area and attempted drug use in a restroom.
By September 30, additional tents had appeared, and the situation was becoming increasingly difficult for motel staff to manage.
One of the challenges was that the encampment itself was not located on property owned by Cocusa Motel. Therese explained that she had previously understood this to mean the business had limited options for addressing the situation.
That changed after a conversation with Burlington Police Department Community Service Officer Charlean Derrick.
Officer Derrick introduced Therese to the department's Business Trespass Authorization process and explained how the authorization could help officers address unlawful or unwanted activity on participating properties.
Cocusa Motel completed and returned the paperwork, and the resource was also shared with neighboring businesses.
Therese continued communicating with the Police Department about the concerns. By October 8, she reported that the encampment and associated debris had been cleared from the area.
For Therese, the experience reinforced an important lesson:
"There are resources for business owners."
Her experience also demonstrated the importance of having a knowledgeable point of contact, documenting ongoing issues, and following up with the appropriate agencies.
How Police Trespass Authorization Works for Burlington Businesses
The Burlington Police Department offers a Trespass Authorization Certified Statement, which allows property owners, business owners, managers, or authorized agents to give officers permission to act on their behalf when certain unauthorized activities occur on their property.
Without this authorization or another applicable legal basis, officers may have limited authority to enter private property and direct individuals to leave.
By completing the authorization, eligible property representatives can allow Burlington Police officers to contact individuals who do not have a legitimate or lawful reason to be on the property and request that they leave.
The authorization may cover common areas such as business entrances, hallways, stairwells, parking lots, driveways, landscaped areas, and other shared portions of the authorized property.
According to the department's documentation, the program is intended to discourage activities such as trespassing, vandalism, theft, illegal drug activity, littering, and unauthorized camping or sheltering.
Importantly, the authorization applies to the property identified in the signed document. It does not automatically extend to neighboring properties or authorize entry into private spaces not covered by the agreement.
Business owners can learn more through the City of Burlington's official Police Trespass Authorization Program.
Why Should Burlington Business Owners Know About This?
Whether you operate a retail store, restaurant, lodging property, professional office, or another business, unauthorized activity can affect much more than your physical property.
Employee safety, customer confidence, business operations, and the overall experience of visiting a commercial area can all be affected.
The Burlington Police trespass program offers several practical benefits:
- Clear communication: Establishes written authorization for officers to act on behalf of the property owner or authorized representative.
- Proactive preparation: Allows businesses to establish the authorization before a situation escalates.
- Support for employees: Provides management with an additional resource when dealing with recurring unauthorized activity.
- Coordination with neighboring businesses: Encourages businesses experiencing similar concerns to communicate and explore appropriate options for their individual properties.
- Community partnership: Strengthens communication between local businesses and the Burlington Police Department.
The program does not guarantee additional police patrols or immediate resolution of every complaint. Business owners remain responsible for monitoring their properties and reporting incidents.
However, understanding the program before an issue arises can help businesses be better prepared.
How to Request Police Trespass Authorization
The process begins by contacting the Burlington Police Department and requesting information about its trespass authorization form.
1. Request the authorization form.
Contact the Burlington Police Department or visit the City's Trespass Authorization resource page.
2. Review the requirements.
The form is intended for a property owner, manager, or authorized agent with the legal authority to sign on behalf of the identified property.
3. Complete the information.
Provide the property address, requested authorization hours, a 24-hour contact telephone number, and the other information required on the form.
4. Print, sign, and return the document.
The department's form requires a handwritten signature. Electronic signatures are not accepted. The completed form must be returned to the Police Department by mail or in person.
5. Continue reporting and documenting concerns.
The authorization does not replace regular communication with law enforcement. If incidents occur, report them through the appropriate channels and provide relevant details.
The authorization does not have a stated expiration date, but the Police Department asks property representatives to update it when the property's status changes. It can also be revoked in writing.
Business owners should review the entire document before signing, including its provisions concerning cooperation with law enforcement, property monitoring responsibilities, and legal claims.
Working Together for a Safer Business Community
Cocusa Motel's experience is a reminder that business owners don't always know every resource available to them until a situation makes that information necessary.
It also highlights the value of communication.
Therese's willingness to share her experience provides an opportunity for other Burlington businesses to become informed, ask questions, and establish their own relationships with the appropriate local agencies.
Addressing trespassing and unlawful behavior is not the same as addressing homelessness itself. These are complex community issues that call for both compassion and appropriate responses to concerns about safety, private property, and business operations.
By knowing available resources and communicating with law enforcement, businesses can take informed steps to protect their properties while supporting a safer and more welcoming Burlington community.
Burlington Police Department: Business Safety Resources
Businesses interested in learning more about the trespass authorization letter and how to participate can contact:
Burlington Police Department
311 Cedar Street, Suite B
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: 360-755-0921
Email: pdrecords@burlingtonwa.gov
Official Program Information:
Burlington Police Trespass Authorization Program
The Burlington Police Department can provide guidance on obtaining the appropriate form and understanding the requirements for participation.
Community Safety and Compassion Can Go Hand in Hand
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce recognizes that our community, like so many others, continues to face significant challenges surrounding housing insecurity and homelessness. We also recognize and appreciate the many local nonprofits, organizations, volunteers, and community partners working tirelessly to help individuals and families find shelter, stability, and support.
The purpose of sharing this resource is not to target individuals experiencing homelessness, but rather to help business owners understand the tools available when specific activities threaten the safety of their employees, customers, visitors, or property.
Experiencing homelessness does not equate to criminal activity, and we believe that maintaining a safe business environment and treating those experiencing hardship with dignity and compassion can, and should, go hand in hand.
For those seeking housing assistance, or looking to help connect someone with support, several local resources are available:
- Skagit County Housing and Homelessness Services: Information about housing assistance, homelessness prevention, and the Coordinated Entry process for connecting eligible individuals and families with services.
- Skagit Friendship House: Providing emergency shelter, housing assistance, meals, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness, including services at Burlington's Skagit First Step Center.
- Family Promise of Skagit Valley: Supporting families experiencing housing instability through prevention, shelter, stabilization, and other services.
Together, through awareness, collaboration, and community partnerships, we can work toward a Burlington where businesses thrive and neighbors in need are not forgotten.
The Burlington Chamber Is Here to Keep Businesses Informed
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is committed to connecting businesses with resources, information, and community partnerships that help them navigate challenges and operate successfully.
Advocacy, education, and connecting businesses with helpful information are important parts of our work. As we discussed in our Chamber Chronicle article, The Real Power Behind Your Local Chamber, the strength of a Chamber comes from its members, their engagement, and the partnerships that support a thriving business community.
Through Chamber Chronicle, we will continue sharing business resources, local updates, advocacy information, and community stories that help Burlington business owners stay connected and informed.
We thank Cocusa Motel General Manager Therese Lundvall for bringing this resource to our attention and sharing her experience, as well as the Burlington Police Department for its ongoing work with Burlington businesses.
Have a resource, concern, or business experience you believe other Chamber members should know about?
We encourage you to connect with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.