The Seattle Police Department has changed the way they deal with trespass complaints.

Intended to assist property owners in addressing crime occurring on their property, the new program will empower the property owner to give admonish trespassers off their property for life.

"I have been getting more calls regarding trespass and homeless complaints," said officer Scott McGlashan, who addressed the Ballard District Meeting on July 13 to explain SPD's new protocol.

This new contract is available for open-to-the-public businesses and deals with people who are neither patrons nor customers.

If a business sets up the trespass contract with the SPD, an uniform Conditions of Entry sign will be posted at the entry of their business or property. This contract empowers the property owner to admonish someone off their property who violates the conditions of entry. With documentation - a 911 call, a picture of the trespasser, or his or her name - officers can then enforce this warning.

Once a person has received a Trespass Warning, they will be subject to immediate arrest if they are found again at that address in violation of the Conditions of Entry. The Trespass Warnings do not expire, unlike the one year time period under the admonishment program.

Businessed with existing Trespass Authorization Forms will be required to complete the revised Trespass Agreement and Authorization form and post the new SPD Conditions of Entry sign before warnings can be issued. These forms are hard-copies and will be available at the Ballard Chamber of Commerce or via the North Precinct at NPrecinctTrespassProgram@seattle.gov.

Park trespass protocol continues to be complaint-based.

For more information, visit seattle.gov.