Jonathan Choe

Exclusive Dozens of complaints sent to @MayorofSeattle about what’s being called Seattle’s next PROBLEMATIC homeless encampment w/new tents being set up consistently. Water being stolen from houses, drug dealing, loud noise, and confrontations w/campers. FULL report coming up. Inconvenient Truth Watch exclusive video. Guy stealing water from faucets. Neighbors say he’s associated w/rapidly expanding homeless encampment in Licton Springs. Campers tell me they MOVED here after series of recent encampment clearings in Seattle. Community Outrage vs. Homeless Needs Been tracking evolution of this Seattle homeless encampment for weeks. Started off with only a few tents. Now it’s more than 20. Homeless tell me @MayorofSeattle needs to add portable toilets. But neighbors say that would enable them to stay. Sunday Afternoon Read More ›

Raw Look My series “HIDDEN CRISIS IN THE WOODS” incited quite a response and conversation. But there’s more. SELECT group of media followed @KCCReaganDunn @kingcosoPIO to experience first hand. Behind the Scenes I just scratched the surface. There are many more homeless people living in these heavily wooded areas and more are headed here. Look at the waterfront property I found! It’s not just unincorporated King Co. It’s also in Seattle and across the region. COVID Restrictions? @MayorofSeattle and @wsdot @GovInslee now removing homeless encampments on public right of ways. But why not in other parts of @KingCountyWA and unincorporated? @KCCReaganDunn says @KCPubHealth has not updated pandemic guidance. Tough Love @KCCReaganDunn new legislation would create interagency task force focusing first Read More ›

It’s tee time at Jackson Park golf course, part of Seattle’s vast network of public spaces. But go beyond the greens and onto nearby trails leading into the deep woods. It looks far worse than any bad shot into the rough.  “I had a friend show me up here,” says Champ, who’s homeless.   Surrounded by the cover of lush trees and an abundance space, Champ says he’s lived alone in peace at this encampment for almost three years. However, he says that’s now changing.  “Usually when somebody gets kicked out they go somewhere else — where they’re going they’re going to raise hell in that area cause they’re pissed,” says Champ.  He believes the city and state’s recent crackdown on Read More ›

Breaking @KCCReaganDunn introducing pilot program forming task force and giving county authority to remove homeless encampments in woods along Green River Rd/unincorporated King County. More details in my investigative series “Hidden Crisis in the Woods” pt. 2 launching today. Right Now Currently, King Co. does not clear homeless encampments on County property and has no procedures in place to do so. This is not a done deal. Entire @KCCouncil needs to vote in coming weeks. @KCCReaganDunn says legislation would only apply to this wooded area. Interagency Task Force It would include @kingcosoPIO, Depart of Community and Health Services, Local Services Roads’ Division, in collaboration with @KCRHA. Responsible for clean up plan involving current and future encampments and connecting homeless with Read More ›

Breaking Massive RV/vehicle clean up scheduled today for Green River Rd & 94th PL S. in unincorporated King County now delayed. Officials say @KCRHA needs more time for outreach. Frustrated neighbors say trash is everywhere and it’s being used as a “chop shop” for stolen cars. Unfairly Blamed People living here in vehicles say they have also seen cars without license plates dumped and stripped. Place has been an on going issue for neighbors and the owner of a nearby soccer field. They say area’s been cleared numerous times, but always comes back.

Homeless Hotels Former Extended Stay in Seattle’s Northgate neighborhood is coming on-line this month. More than 130 people moving in as part of Health Through Housing Initiative. Even with support services, some neighbors concerned of potential problems that could follow. More on the Way Seattle based non-profit DESC will be running the Northgate location. No security guards on site but they say trained staff will be there to address potential problems. County leaders trying to re-assure communities. Update The former Redmond Silver Cloud Inn was scheduled to be used as a homeless hotel but county had no staff to run it. So now it is still being used by Afghan refugees at least until early fall. Many neighbors and biz Read More ›

Exclusive Video This morning, @WSDOT says this homeless encampment in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood was the first one cleared under @GovInslee Rights-of-Way Initiative, a state wide effort to finally clear encampments along the highway. More details coming up. Huge Initiative WA Dept. of Commerce controlling purse strings. Each county must submit proposal for types of services and housing needed to serve homeless on highways. King Co. requested just under $47 million for next year. @KC_RHA one of the providers. Outreach @KC_RHA says it worked with JustCARE for this effort today on state owned property. 4 people voluntarily moved into enhanced shelters with support services. The team is trying to help a 5th camper find shelter. Enforcement Last month, this is Read More ›