Green River Road

System Failure All the elected officials in King County know about the Green River Rd encampment. They know about the crime, shootings, fires, drug overdose deaths, stolen vehicles, and environmental damage. Yet it’s being totally ignored. This stretch of road between Kent and Auburn has been littered with tents and RV’s for years. At the end of the day, this is on Executive Dow Constantine (@kcexec) but he’s MIA as well. The King County Sheriff’s Office is now being told to avoid this encampment unless it’s a serious emergency. After the latest incident of vandalism, Valor Soccer (@ValorSoccerUSA) is also ejecting from the area. Making matters worse, the deep woods are packed with tents and all kinds of forts. Dozens Read More ›

The youth soccer field at North Green River Park is surrounded by majestic trees and breathtaking scenery. And on weekends, it’s usually packed with kids and families who depend on this field. Many come from underserved minority communities in Kent, Auburn, and other parts of King County.  Early Wednesday morning, Dean Aldridge of Valor Soccer says someone drove onto the field and caused more than $100,000 in damage doing donuts. “These fields serve our most economically challenged kids,” Aldridge tells me. Club officials say all weekend tournaments are now canceled and their season is effectively over. “To see it like this, it hurts my heart,” says Ray Johnson, Valor Director of Development. This is just the latest troubling incident along this stretch Read More ›

Stragglers Early Wednesday morning, crews will finally be clearing the RV encampment along Green River Rd. in unincorporated King Co. Process was delayed after @KC_RHA asked for more time to do outreach. This evening, only a few people remain. But they aren’t planning to leave. Happening Now Crews clearing thousands of pounds of trash on Green River Rd. in unincorporated King County. Most homeless campers/RV’s are gone. But deputies have ZERO authority to remove them if they return. Several guys said they’re coming back once crews leave. Where’s the Enforcement? Reagan Dunn spoke to me this morning, reiterating importance of his new legislation that would give King County Sheriff’s deputies the authority to remove homeless campers if they returned. Right 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 ›

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 ›