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Burien Seeking Police Chief Replacement as Downtown Deteriorates

Jonathan Choe
April 11, 2024
Governance, Homelessness, Street Report
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BREAKING

It appears embattled Burien Police Chief Ted Boe is heading out the door. Boe has not officially been fired. But Thursday evening, City Manager Adolfo Bailon sent out an email saying they are looking for his replacement.

City Manager Bailon’s Email

The exact reason was not given but I’m being told it’s related to the Boe’s refusal to enforce the camping ordinance in the city. KCSO and Burien are engaged in nasty litigation after Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and Dow Constantine ordered deputies not to sweep encampments. Bailon also makes it very clear, Burien does not have the authority to fire Boe since he is under KCSO which contracts with the city.

City Manager Bailon Calls Sheriff a Liar

Bailon is also calling Sheriff Cole-Tindall a liar. Apparently she accused Bailon of retaliating against Boe after sworn statements in court.

Things Get Messy

Since Burien and King County have filed lawsuits against each other, it’s clearly gotten personal and messy.

City Manager Bailon Accuses King County of Retaliation

For weeks now, rumors have been swirling in Burien about Chief Boe’s future. It’s now clear where Bailon stands on this issue.

Meanwhile, Downtown Burien Deteriorates

Since Dow and the Sheriff abdicated their responsibilities to enforce Burien’s no camping ordinance, conditions in the downtown core have deteriorated. Multiple drug overdose deaths, mental health issues on full display, and worries about rampant crime.

Lawsuit Filed Against Burien

This is the lawsuit filed against Burien.

March 11, 2024: King County Executive Dow Constantine and Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall are suing Burien, saying the city’s homeless camping ordinance is not constitutional. They want a judge to sort this out before they start enforcing. Press conference about to begin.

Burien’s Counter Lawsuit

March 28, 2024: Today, Burien leaders punched back and filed a lawsuit against King County and the King County Sheriff’s Office for refusing to enforce the city’s homeless camping ordinance. Business owners say Executive Dow Constantine is trying to punish this city for defying his plans. Meanwhile, look at the disaster unfolding in the city’s downtown core. Drug addicts from Seattle are coming here to take advantage of the lawless atmosphere.

Burien Is Pushing Back

Burien is pushing back against Dow’s failed policies on homelessness. That’s why city leaders say he’s punishing them with a frivolous lawsuit.

From Brandi Kruse: “It’s time to stand up to the failed policies”: Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling, a Democrat, says his party needs to be honest about its failure to make progress on fighting homelessness. FULL at Patreon.

Former Councilmember Cydney Moore’s Failed Efforts

Cydney Moore’s Burien Community Support Coalition is being blamed for starting this mess. Some homeless say the former city councilmember advised them to set up in front of City Hall as a protest stunt. Her backyard church encampment also failed.

February 5, 2024: On Monday, dozens of homeless men and women will be ejected from the temporary encampment behind Oasis Home Church in Burien. The 90 days are up. It’s unclear where they will go. Likely back to city parks or the downtown core. This evening, some of them spoke to me and said they felt used by former councilmember Cydney Moore and regret following her lead. Moore is in charge of Burien Community Support Coalition, a non-profit that’s been running daily operations at the controversial encampment. She allegedly promised them housing and jobs. But so far, none of that has materialized. Some of the campers also say Moore was blinded by power and control, refusing to collaborate with other successful homeless outreach groups like “The More We Love.” It’s now becoming more evident than ever, the homeless have been used as political pawns. Moore is apparently trying to bring some of them to Burien City Hall Monday evening to protest during the council meeting. She continues to blame the city for lack of services and shelter. But the reality is, Moore’s alternative model has failed and she is now desperately trying to save face. WATCH as I try to get her side of the story.

Burien Community Support Coalition

Burien Community Support Coalition has been the epitome of amateur hour. It’s still led by Moore, failed Burien Council candidate Daniel Martin, and disgraced former Burien Planning Commissioner Charles Schaefer (wearing glasses and hat).

Jonathan Choe

Journalist and Senior Fellow, Center on Wealth and Poverty
Jonathan Choe is a journalist and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center on Wealth and Poverty, covering homelessness issues for its Fix Homelessness initiative. Prior to joining Discovery, Choe spent several years as one of the lead reporters at KOMO-TV, consistently the top rated television station in Seattle. His in depth stories on crime and deep dive investigations into the homeless crisis led to measurable results in the community, including changes in public policy. Choe has more than two decades of experience in television news behind the scenes and in front of the camera for ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and Tribune. He has also been nominated and honored with multiple industry awards including an Emmy. Choe spent several years teaching classes on emerging media and entrepreneurship to under privileged youth in inner city Chicago. As an independent journalist, Choe also contributes regularly to the Mill Creek View and Lynnwood Times and has reported on exclusive stories in the past year for Daily Wire and The Postmillennial.