Street Report

Same Scene in Little Saigon There is no doubt the encampment sweeps on WSDOT (@WSDOT) properties in #Chinatown-ID have made a huge difference. No more tents or encampment fires. But the drug dealers, addicts, and the open air black market continues to thrive at bus stops along 12th Ave. in Little Saigon this weekend. Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) said this neighborhood would also be getting police emphasis patrols like 3rd Ave & Pike St. in the downtown core. But nothing is changing. The issues just ebb and flow. I know virtually all the regulars out here. But the concern now, there are so many NEW FACES of addiction coming into this area. Councilmember Kshama Sawant (@cmkshama) reps Little Saigon and Read More ›

Nothing Has Changed I spent hours in downtown #Seattle on Saturday to see the illicit activity ebb and flow. This is the first weekend since Mayor Bruce Harrell (@mayorofseattle) announced his Downtown Activation Plan to clean up this mess. Most of the action is still concentrated at 3rd Ave & Pike St. near the Ross Store (@Ross_Stores.) But police emphasis patrols are now scattering drug addicts and dealers to other streets. The vestibules of empty store fronts remain popular spots to do fentanyl. Folks continue to use public transportation (@SoundTransit, @KingCountyMetro) to move stolen merchandise back and forth on to the streets. The black market is thriving and it’s a free for all. I also witnessed two men being saved Read More ›

Seattle Problems This bizarre encounter happened on I-5 Thursday during a busy evening commute in #Seattle. Witnesses say a homeless woman was wearing a clear plastic bag on her head and carrying sack full of vegetation. Cops showed up and tried to talk her off the ledge. She was also swinging some type of metal object. Just another day in the Emerald City. @GovInslee @kcexec @MayorofSeattle @KC_RHA @KCCouncil @SeattleCouncil @CMTammyMorales @CMSaraNelson @CMTMosqueda @D5Juarez Walked Her Off the Ledge It appears this situation was eventually resolved with no one seriously hurt. There are still dozens of encampments on @WSDOT properties in #Seattle. Ask any commuter. I see homeless people constantly crossing busy highways or walking in the breakdown lanes daily.

Here We Go Again Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) first to report on a NEW RV encampment expanding on the former Burger King, 7-11, and Baskin Robbins parking lot off S. Rainier Ave. So sad that south #Seattle is losing vital businesses in this already underserved neighborhood. Numerous shops like Grease Monkey (@GreaseMonkeyInt) already left because of crime, shootings, and homeless related issues. Squatters have caused fires and continue to take over these abandoned properties in the city. They know city has limited power to remove them. It’s on the owner of this lot to properly fence it off. At the very least, city should be enforcing this requirement already on the books. Where is Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales?) She was supposed Read More ›

Block Party’s Over…Sort of On Tuesday, the Seattle Department of Transportation (@seattledot) removed some of the “eco-blocks” near the Leary Triangle and Fremont Brewery in Ballard. But the agency says only a few were taken out because it’s time to re-open this piece of land that’s expected to be turned into a dog park. Otherwise, no sign of any other slabs of concrete being removed by the city even though it’s technically a violation. These were quickly put up all over Ballard to prevent tents and RV’s from moving in. But as you can tell, this part of #Seattle is still dealing with the homeless crisis. How soon until tents start moving back in? It really is turning into whack Read More ›

Exclusive On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) announced his plan to revitalize downtown #Seattle and tackle the fentanyl crisis flooding our streets. Afterwards, I got an update from Dr. Faisal Khan, the top doc in King County. This past January, he sounded the alarm on the medical examiner’s office running out of room to store bodies because of the drug overdose epidemic. They eventually found extra storage space but Khan says they’re on pace for even more drug overdose deaths this year. He’s now calling for bolder action before it’s too late.

Is Harm Reduction Really Working? On Monday, I asked Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) if giving away all these meth pipes and needles is really the best way to go about addressing the drug epidemic, especially since King County is still dealing with record drug overdose deaths. Advocates say it’s one of the best ways to keep people safe and alive. Critics say it’s enabling and making the problem worse. Here’s how the Mayor responded. #Seattle Are Safe Consumption Sites Part of Seattle’s Future? Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) took more of a measured approach on this one. While there are no immediate plans to bring in safe consumption sites so addicts can use illicit drugs under medical supervision, the Mayor hasn’t Read More ›

Downtown Disaster Right after my segment about #Seattle‘s drug crisis aired Saturday evening with Dan Bongino (@UnfilteredOnFox), I did my weekly check in on 3rd Ave in downtown. Without fail, addicts were using meth and fentanyl in front of children and all the tourists. I saw tranq fentanyl wounds on users. One young man even overdosed! Once again I had to offer my NARCAN which I carry all the time. But thankfully, Seattle Police (@SeattlePD) officers had some on hand and saved his life. Next week, Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) will issue an Executive Order addressing the fentanyl and synthetic drug crisis. We’re also expecting a preview of the Downtown Activation Plan. But will this be enough to take back Read More ›

Washington Media is Waking Up It’s evident, certain politicians hate transparency, accountability, and tough questions. In case you missed it, on Thursday one reporter point blank asked Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) if he thinks state agencies should determine “who is media and who isn’t media.” He was totally caught off guard. Is this an acceptable answer from the Governor of WA? Listen. BTW, I am still banned from Inslee’s press conferences. His media handlers say I’m not a “credentialed journalist” even though I have multiple media credentials from several news outlets outside of my media fellowship. I hope he allows me in one day. Assault on Press Freedoms Last month, I was nearly kicked out of a press conference in Read More ›