Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives
Author

Jonathan Choe

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Vacant Seattle Home Catches Fire. Witnesses Blame Homeless

Happening Now Massive fire inside a vacant house on Walker St in S. Seattle. Witnesses say it was likely started by the homeless. Neighbors have been complaining about more tents and RVs showing up in this area which is also near the Taco Time off Rainier Ave.

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Homeless Building Treehouses to Evade Camping Ban, Causing Environmental Damage

New For the past few years, all eyes have been on Seattle’s homeless drug crisis. But Kent’s street problems are being compounded by the “nomad class.” These are the people who have tapped out from society and are refusing shelter and services. They want to stay in nature and have taken over prime wetlands and greenbelts, building treehouses to evade enforcement in this South King County city. Beautiful streams are now clogged with trash and the environmental cost to clean this up is easily in the millions. I spent the past week investigating the situation which is spread out across the city. I will be launching the entire series soon. Here is a preview.

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Law Enforcement Presence Only Moves Criminal Activity to New Area of Seattle’s Chinatown

New Late Tuesday evening, I wanted to check on Little Saigon in Chinatown-ID. There’s been a massive law enforcement push to clear the streets of drug addicts and the black market of stolen goods. 12th Ave & Jackson St remains clear. But all the action has moved to King St and Weller St. Last month, Mayor Harrell decided to give the problematic DESC Navigation Center more time to move. That means CID residents will have to put up with crime and drug dealing for a couple more months. Good deal…not.

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Drug Dens and Black Market Return to Downtown Seattle Streets

New After months of positive progress, parts of downtown Seattle have regressed. Look what’s happening on a Tuesday evening! The drug dens have come roaring back and the black market of stolen goods is thriving at the corner of 3rd Ave & Pike St. But now the hoard has moved over to Walgreens and Piroshky Bakery. Councilmember Bob Kettle and Downtown Seattle must ask for consistent patrols at all hours of the day. Otherwise, this place will turn into a wasteland. Btw, no doubt this is spillover from recent crackdowns in Chinatown-ID. The lawlessness just moves from one neighborhood to another. Consistent enforcement is the only way to get ahead of this crowd. The addicts must get into treatment. More Read More ›

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Local Law Enforcement Steps Up Presence in Seattle’s Chinatown

New Massive law enforcement presence all week in Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. Officers from SPD and King County Sheriff’s Office are targeting the notorious 12th Ave & Jackson St. drug dens in Little Saigon. They’re even going after people on side streets. Authorities say they have made dozens of arrests for open-air drug use. In many cases, the men and women are repeat offenders with warrants. It’s not perfect by any means, but there is no doubt it is looking better. For how long, only time will tell. It’s amazing what a public shaming campaign can do to motivate city leaders. Community Activists Demand Action A brand new coalition is forming to defend Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. These community activists say politicians at the Read More ›

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New Video Shows Moments Before King County Metro Bus Driver Was Stabbed

New Surveillance footage shows King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim fighting for his life before being stabbed to death in Seattle last month. Homeless man Richard Sitzlack is now facing murder charges. The video is a little grainy. Sitzlack boards the bus in a plastic poncho and Yim is wearing a reflective vest. Authorities say an argument about an open window on the bus triggered this deadly altercation. Sitzlack tries to close it because of the cold draft, but Yim keeps it open to prevent the bus from fogging up. You can see words were exchanged, Sitzlack pepper sprays Yim, and the altercation ensues outside. We have not yet seen any video showing the alleged stabbing incident off the Read More ›

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Aurora Ave Prostitution, Violence, Criminal Activity Chases Away Small Business

Farewell After more than 50 years on Seattle’s Aurora Ave N., Empire Insurance Brokers is exiting this location today. Owner says the out-of-control pimp war is just bad for business. They are now merging with the Everett office. Another biz leaving the city due to major public safety concerns. Useless Laws Seattle has anti-prostitution laws on the books but what’s the point if it’s not being enforced?

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Burien Sees Decrease in Homeless Drug Addiction Thanks to Local Outreach Efforts

Major Breakthrough Burien leaders say more homeless drug addicts are getting into detox, treatment, and housing. And the results are visible on the streets. At this week’s council meeting, city leaders credited “Co-Response,” a collaboration between first responders and Human Services. But most of the praise is going to Kristine Moreland and her outreach group The More We Love. Critics questioned the city after Moreland received a contract from Burien to do outreach work. Now it’s looking like a brilliant move. Her team’s rapid response and personal touch to helping the lost are game changers. And other King County cities are noticing the results. The More We Love Councilmember Stephanie Mora made the initial pitch to contract with Moreland’s group. Read More ›

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Repeat Offender Destroying Seattle Public Parks Released Again

Update After being arrested multiple times and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to Seattle’s Dr. Jose Rizal Park, homeless man Steve Irwin is back on the streets. The legal system has failed to get Irwin the help he needs and now taxpayers are on the hook. Bail Reduced and Paid The city requested to maintain bail at the previously set amount of $5,000. But Judge Andrew Simons lowered the bail to $1,000. Irwin was bailed out by Daniel Roth Tenenbaum. Pretending to Enforce the Law This now signals to all homeless people that the City of Seattle will allow illegal camping and then burn through taxpayer dollars pretending to enforce the law.

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Community Coalition Demands Action in Seattle’s Chinatown

“This Would Not Happen If This Were the Beautiful Waterfront” A brand new coalition is forming to defend Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. These community activists say politicians at the local and state level have failed them on public safety. They’re demanding more resources and attention to address crime, chaos, and death on the streets. Meanwhile, conditions in other parts of the city have improved. Which is why an elder went up to the podium today and torched Mayor Bruce Harrell by saying, “Mayor Harrell, he’s Asian American, does he give a sh*t? I don’t think so.” The Petition As I have reported now for the past year, Mayor Harrell is losing support in the CID because it has turned into a human Read More ›