Housing First is Failing
Seattle Times reporting @KC_RHA outreach workers downtown say many tents there are not used by homeless people as shelter to live and sleep, but for the sale of illicit goods. I’ve been reporting on this with VIDEO EVIDENCE for months.@mayorofseattle @CMAndrewJLewis @govinslee @kcexec
“We can all see with our own eyes whether there are few people or not living on sidewalks and alleys and doorways. The complicating factor is that some of the disorder in downtown has been called “homelessness” but is not caused only by people without housing.” -John Scholes, CEO Downtown Seattle Association
Whack a Mole
I have never witnessed an encampment in #Seattle return this often. Tents along 3rd Ave near City Hall were removed dozens of times since last year, but already back. Who’s providing brand new tents? @MayorofSeattle @KC_RHA @CMAndrewJLewis @kcexec @GovInslee
Recurring Nightmare
This 3rd Ave and Cherry St encampment in downtown #Seattle has the most “trap tents,” used for illicit activity. @MayorofSeattle @CMAndrewJLewis @kcexec @GovInslee
Danger to Community
Many in these tents are not homeless and stay nearby at @DESCSeattle‘s Lyon building or Morrison. It’s become a hang out to do drugs. Worst kept secret. #Seattle @MayorofSeattle @KC_RHA
Downtown Disaster
Meanwhile on this Super Bowl weekend, encampment near #Seattle City Hall is thriving. Fentanyl, fights, stolen goods, runaway teens in tents. No end in sight after multiple sweeps. Why is it allowed to come back? @MayorofSeattle @KC_RHA @GovInslee @kcexec
Hide Out
These downtown #Seattle tents are being used by runway teenagers. Earlier this month, SPD arrested a15 year old fentanyl addicted teen in the 3rd Ave and Cherry St. encampment. His grandma says this intervention saved his life. She’s now calling on @MayorofSeattle and other elected officials to shut down this encampment for good and find a way to prevent it from popping up again. @CMAndrewJLewis @kcexec @GovInslee @KC_RHA