Crazy Town
After numerous fires, shootings, and crimes associated with homeless encampments on @WSDOT properties in #Chinatown-ID, @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones said outreach workers were now focusing on the neighborhood. But he wouldn’t say which camps or when it would all be cleared. He also failed to mention the plan for dealing with new campers who move in and add to the total. Homeless are now moving onto WSDOT properties, knowing they won’t be moved. There’s still no plan to get in front of these encampments before they spiral out of control. There’s also a problematic RV, feeding power to tents. Sunday afternoon, I saw several new tents being pitched on King St. @MayorofSeattle has the power and authority to go in right now and clear this encampment, but for some reason, he won’t do it and is relying on the state. This community remains stunned by the lack of action. But not surprised their District 2 Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales) is MIA. @GovInslee @kcexec @KCCouncil @SeattleCouncil
Total Failure
@thehoffather and I are breaking down the surge in #Seattle homeless encampment fires this year, especially in the #Chinatown-ID neighborhood. Still no timeline on when @WSDOT will remove the encampments on King St, Jackson St., or Dearborn St. I have been tracking at least 10 in the vicinity. But @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones says some of the CID camps are on the “priority list” for removal. In the meantime, students, children, families, residents, and biz owners take massive risks passing by each day. @CMTammyMorales remains MIA and has not shown up for her district during this ordeal. Where’s @JoeMcDermottWA? @MayorofSeattle @GovInslee @WAStateCommerce @kcexec
Massive Liability
Last Tuesday, another INFERNO at the King St. #Chinatown-ID homeless encampment. This is same @WSDOT property that’s now been scene of nearly a dozen fires in February alone. In my 20 plus year journalism career, I have never witnessed so many elected officials fail a community like this. Asian American immigrant business owners continue to be victimized. High school students at Summit Sierra are now walking home past this disaster. @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones continues to offer no timeline on when it will be cleared. @CMTammyMorales being called out again for being MIA. Kim Nguyen owns Vuu’s Beauty School right next to this dangerous encampment. Nguyen is challenging Tammy Morales to show up for her CID community. @GovInslee @kcexec @WAStateCommerce @MayorofSeattle #Seattle
No Game Plan
Students at Summit Sierra High School in #Seattle are surrounded by a gauntlet of drug dealers, addicts, an open air black market, and dangerous homeless encampments. Yet state, county, and city leaders are allowing this to flourish with no timeline on solutions. Parents are livid, teachers aren’t sure what to do, and some say this culture is now being normalized. This is a public safety failure. @GovInslee @kcexec @MayorofSeattle @CMTammyMorales @WSDOT @KC_RHA @WAStateCommerce
King St Problems
Summit Sierra High School is caught in the middle of open air drug deals, homeless encampment infernos, and a black market that’s thriving in #Chinatown-ID. This is just the latest crisis threatening the safety of students in #Seattle. City, county, and state leaders remain paralyzed as near term solutions fail. I’ve been documenting this unfolding disaster for months. @GovInslee @MayorofSeattle @kcexec @KC_RHA @CMTammyMorales @WSDOT @WAStateCommerce