Burlington Police Department
Skagit, Washington
How we verified this
As of August 2026 the online Broadcastify feed "Skagit County Police and Fire" carries Burlington police, and RadioReference lists "453.900 | WNKT615 | Burl PD Disp | Police Burlington Police Dispatch (Shared with Sedro-Wolley Police) | FMN" as analog with no encryption marker, so the department is still monitorable.
Encryption Details
Skagit County Context
Skagit County is a mixed picture: 2 of 5 agencies we track here are fully encrypted (40%), which means some neighboring departments are still audible on a scanner.
See every agency we track in Skagit County → County encryption overview →
What This Means
This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but verification against live sources on 2026-08-09 found its dispatch broadcasting in the clear. Any P25-capable scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington Police Department radio encrypted?
No. Despite earlier listings, Burlington Police Department broadcasts in the clear. This agency was previously listed as encrypted, but verification against live sources on 2026-08-09 found its dispatch broadcasting in the clear. Any P25-capable scanner can receive it — confirm current status on the live RadioReference database, since encryption decisions can change.
Can I listen to Burlington Police Department on a police scanner?
Yes. Verification against live sources found Burlington Police Department's dispatch broadcasting in the clear — any P25-capable scanner can receive it. Check RadioReference for frequencies and current status.
Why do agencies like Burlington Police Department encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Skagit County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Skagit County reverse the encryption decision?
Nothing technical prevents it. Burlington Police Department operates encrypted because someone decided it should, and decisions of that kind get revisited when councils hear sustained, organised pressure rather than isolated complaints.
What can I do about Burlington Police Department encryption?
File a FOIA request for Burlington Police Department's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Skagit County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.