Blog

Latest Incident Why would anyone want to take a King County Metro bus in Seattle? Riders say they have to share space with homeless fentanyl addicts and the mentally ill. Here is the latest incident where this fella went on a profanity laced bender, bashing his head into the window several times. He’s apparently a regular on the E and H lines. Even after numerous complaints about public safety, riders say the agency only responds with robo emails. In other words, ride at your own risk.

[The following is a podcast episode originally published April 28, 2025, at Humanize, a podcast hosted by Wesley J. Smith at Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism.] Homelessness has become a crisis in the United States. We live in the richest country in the world, and yet one can drive down main thoroughfares of our most prosperous cities and be confronted with tent encampments lining streets, squalor, open-air drug markets, and destitute people begging. The crisis is multifaceted as it is seemingly intractable. What is the role of mental illness? What about drug addiction? Is the rising cost of housing part of the problem, and if so, what can be done about it? What protections does society owe these vulnerable Read More ›

In its 2026 state budget, New York is putting a concerted effort behind addressing severe mental illness by expanding its involuntary hospitalization law and increasing the number of psychiatric beds. Kendra’s Law, which allows the involuntary hospitalization of those with a mental illness who pose a threat to themselves or others, will now also allow the hospitalization of those who are unable to care for themselves because of their mental illness. Washington state would do well to follow New York’s example. In Washington state, involuntary hospitalizations are handled by designated crisis responders (DCRs) under the state’s Involuntary Treatment Act. DCRs determine whether the individual exhibiting a mental illness or substance use disorder is “in danger of serious harm.” Under this Read More ›

What Does Harrell Plan To Do? Nearly four years ago, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell campaigned on the promise of making a serious dent in the city’s homeless drug crisis. But under his watch, there are more people living on the streets, the fentanyl epidemic remains out of control, and many encampments that were cleared are now repopulating. So this evening, I asked him what he plans to do about this ongoing issue that could become a political liability for his re-election campaign. Using the Wrong Measuring Stick Mayor Harrell is touting these accomplishments on his campaign website. But critics say citing a decrease in RV’s and tent encampments as a metric for success is the wrong barometer. Homelessness on the Read More ›

Lawlessness Reigns It’s the worst kept secret in Seattle, but King County Metro buses are being used by criminals to transport stolen goods. The addicts tell me they like to ransack the downtown Target store, then bring the items back to 12th Ave and Jackson St. in Little Saigon. As I was conducting an interview, a dude got off the bus with a duffle bag and started flipping stolen sneakers, cologne, and promising to come back with even more items. The proceeds are then likely used to buy fentanyl or other illegal street drugs. Once again, no cops in sight. Mayor Bruce Harrell’s city remains a lawless playground.

Where Are City Workers? Hundreds of people are walking past a homeless woman in downtown Seattle suffering from frostbite. She’s missing fingers and toes. We Heart Seattle’s Andrea Suarez is the only outreach worker who’s stopping to help. Where are the city funded workers?

Criminal Playground Senior citizens say they are scared to walk around parts of Seattle. The city has turned into a criminal’s playground under Mayor Bruce Harrell. So some of them are now carrying “taser canes.” We Heart Seattle’s Andrea Suarez got a demonstration. I think I need one as well.

Social Services Row Crime, chaos, and death sums up what’s happening in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. The cross streets near social service providers like Plymouth Housing and REACH continue to be the root of all drug-related problems. They are both notorious pushers of the failed “harm reduction” and Housing First policies that have led to even higher rates of homelessness and drug overdose deaths in the region. Making matters worse, the Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) ordinance has been a total flop since it’s barely being enforced.

Lost to Drugs The street crisis in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood is being fueled by drugs and mental illness. Some of the city funded non-profits like REACH and Plymouth Housing also have a presence in this neighborhood. Critics say their clients are the ones running wild on the streets and causing most of the problems. Late Tuesday evening, Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle tried to help a woman undressing on the sidewalk. But she was lost in her drug-induced mania.

No Permanent Solution More taxpayer dollars being wasted on another RV encampment sweep Wednesday morning in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. This is the same spot that’s been cleared dozens of times under Mayor Bruce Harrell’s watch. Instead of finding a permanent solution, Harrell will likely allow them to come right back in a few hours. During the past five years, I have personally covered at least 20 sweeps in this very same spot. This is the craziest cycle I have ever witnessed in my career. I’m not saying the RVs should be allowed to stay. As usual, there have been reports of drug dealing, sex trafficking, and assaults at this encampment. But the current plan is not working.