“I’m Not Aware of That,” Says Constantine on Crime in Burien Homeless Encampment

Dow Constantine Responds

I confronted King County Executive Dow Constantine about the drug encampment he set up in Burien that’s now a revolving door for criminals. But Dow is denying he’s responsible for creating this blight on the city. Do you believe him?

Burien No Longer Works with REACH

Dow also made some erroneous statements. He thinks REACH is still the homeless outreach provider for Burien.

I broke the story last March after the city announced its intent to cut ties. Dow didn’t know about this massive development?

Rescued

Last week, two kids were rescued from this dangerous encampment. But Dow claims he had no idea this incident happened and also says he was unaware of all the crime coming from this drug den.

King County Lets Treatment Beds Sit Empty

Burien Councilmember Linda Akey says there are detox and treatment beds open right now for the campers. But Akey says King County is refusing to move them and won’t tell her why. I wanted to ask Dow about this but his handler shut me down.

Crime in Burien Encampment

Aside from open air drug use, alleged sex trafficking, and fights, this camp is being blamed for harboring dangerous criminals. I was assaulted by two of them just a few days ago. Still no arrests.

“Harm Reduction”

Then you have King County Public Health workers giving drug addicts at the camp an unending supply of needles and meth pipes, instead of consistently offering detox or treatment. They call this “harm reduction.”

Burien City Leaders Blocked by King County Executive and Sheriff

Meanwhile, Burien city leaders are desperately trying to shut it down but are being blocked by Constantine at every turn because this is ultimately county property. Sheriff Patti-Cole Tindall is also refusing to enforce the city’s camping ordinance, in turn defying a recent Supreme Court ruling on encampment sweeps.