New Seattle Mayor Cancels First Major Encampment Sweep
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Canceled
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson abruptly canceled the first major encampment sweep of the year.
It was scheduled for Wednesday morning in Ballard.
Neighbors are furious and some in the outreach community are questioning this decision.
But Wilson’s risky call could be a long-term blessing in disguise.
Other Sweeps Continue
Wilson’s spokesperson sent me a statement saying this is a one-off and that the mayor “believes a better resolution is possible at that location.” We are still waiting on those details.
Meanwhile other encampment sweeps are still happening across the city.
Blessing in Disguise?
As for how this could be a blessing in disguise, Mayor Wilson could set a new precedent by personally going to this encampment and meeting the people living here and trying to understand what’s keeping them on the streets. The former mayor never did this.
Choosing Homelessness
I have talked to several people at this Ballard encampment. They are the same guys who have been on the streets for years. They don’t want to go into so called “congregate shelters” with other homeless people. They want the freedom out here to do drugs.
Treatment Must Be Part of the Equation
If Wilson takes the time to understand their stories, she will realize this is primarily being fueled by drug addiction, mental illness, and broken relationships.
You can’t build your way out of these issues with more affordable housing. Without treatment, the addiction will follow them indoors.
Call the CARE Team
Wilson should call the Community Assisted Response and Engagement, or CARE, Team.
These addicts should be taken to treatment and detox places like Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care or Lakeside Milam Recover Centers.
Enforcement
If they refuse shelter and drug treatment options, then the city should collect names, trespass them, and prevent them from camping here again.
Wilson’s Best Bet
Sweeps without a long-term plan obviously don’t work. The last mayor learned that the hard way. But Wilson also knows these encampments must be removed.
So at this point, she might as well try and get these addicts into treatment and recovery first.
