Mayor Wilson Repeats Harrell Administration with Endless Encampment Sweeps

Playing Whack-A-Mole

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s homelessness strategy is turning into a game of Whack-A-Mole.

The MLK Way encampment cleared last month has already come roaring back.

There are at least 20 people living here. Open-air drug use is rampant.

During her State of the City address on Tuesday, Wilson will say she’s building more shelters in the city. But anyone in the outreach world will tell you the mayor has ZERO plan for the “service resistant.”

In other words, Wilson can build all the shelters she wants. But unless there is a mechanism to force people indoors, the crisis will get worse and the sweeps will continue. So far, we are seeing a repeat of the Bruce Harrell administration.

Not Pursuing Change

Wilson’s spokesperson recently told the Seattle Times that, “the mayor isn’t pursuing a significant shift in encampment clearing strategies from the previous administration.”

People Remain Outdoors

Mayor Wilson said she would take immediate action to get people indoors. Problem is, they’re still outdoors.

Inadequate Response

This is woefully inadequate. Again, no plan for the “service resistant” crowd. Thes are the same men and women who refuse all shelter and services offered by the city. This will be the headline moving forward.

Confusion

During the debates, Wilson did not help her cause by waffling on sweeps. It’s now added even more confusion on the streets. The homeless thought she would stop the sweeps.