jonathan choe

Jonathan Choe recently teamed up with YouTuber and independent journalist Tyler Oliveira to report on the drug addiction crisis on Seattle’s streets. The pair visited Chinatown, Ballard, and Beacon Hill — neighborhoods that have all been afflicted by open-air drug addiction, chronic homelessness, and unfettered crime. Along the way, they spoke with local residents and business owners about how city leaders continue to ignore these deteriorating conditions.

Underneath Las Vegas lies a network of tunnels intended to channel floodwaters. But they are also filled with hundreds of homeless people who have made the tunnels their home. Earlier this year, independent journalists Jonathan Choe and Kevin Dahlgren explored these tunnels. Now, they sit down with podcaster Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour Podcast to discuss what they found. Choe and Dahlgren also discuss broader topics around homelessness, such as why Housing First has failed to solve the homelessness crisis, how fentanyl has changed the crisis, the multi-billion-dollar industry homelessness services have become, and more.

Mayor Wilson Plays Whack-A-Mole Mega drug encampment sweep is underway in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. More than 30 tents are being eviscerated in front of the Fred Meyer. Watch as this man simply drags all his belongings and sets up shop on the other side of the parking lot. The game of Whack-A-Mole continues under socialist Mayor Katie Wilson. YouTube journalist Tyler Oliveira, We Heart Seattle, and I recently spotlighted this crime-ridden hell hole that’s been blamed for sex trafficking, violence, and fentanyl dealing on the regular.

In partnership with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the new “Best Practices Toolkit: Addressing Homelessness and Addiction Through Treatment First.” From the press release: This first-of-its-kind resource provides communities with practical and proven strategies to help Americans transition from homelessness and addiction to recovery and self-sufficiency. This toolkit advances a “Treatment First” model that prioritizes coordinated and accountability-driven engagement in evidence-based treatment and recovery support services to ensure access to effective, comprehensive, and evidence-based care necessary for homeless individuals. “It’s a policy change many of us who have spent time on the frontlines serving the homeless have been arguing for,” Senior Read More ›

Total Disaster It’s the city’s worst-kept secret. Seattle Public Libraries are being used as drug dens and hangouts for the homeless. Savanah Hernandez exposed some of the most problematic locations. Meanwhile, city leaders recently passed a $400 million property tax levy to fund this insanity.

Developing As I first reported last month, the notorious Lewis Park drug den in Seattle is finally being shut down. This morning, city crews and cops booted everyone off the premises. Socialist Mayor Katie Wilson has allowed this hell hole to fester for months. Honduran fentanyl dealers used the deep woods and cover of darkness to prey on addicts. Multiple women were sexually assaulted. Fires raged out of control. The question now, where is everyone headed? We Heart Seattle is on the ground doing outreach. This is a developing story.

On the Ground Discovery Institute Media is on the ground in Spokane, WA. Kevin Dahlgren is reporting from the frontlines of the devastating inferno that decimated hundreds of homes. An arson suspect is in custody. Follow us for the latest updates.

“This Fire Could Have Been Prevented” Sources say the inferno that torched the Centennial Mills building in Portland’s Pearl District over the weekend may have been caused by homeless squatters. Kevin Dahlgren and I have been reporting on the ground and talked to witnesses who watched in horror as the historic 116-year-old abandoned structure went up on flames.

Another One Busted Bellevue community watch volunteers busted another fella this week. Young man allegedly tried to getaway with expensive steaks. But he was caught red handed and just walked away. Many of these stolen items end up in Seattle’s black market in Chinatown-ID. Homeless drug addicts steal and sell this stuff for pennies on the dollar to fuel their fetty and meth habit.

Sad Situation The Bellevue community watch volunteers are doing an invaluable service by hunting down crooks who ransack local grocery stores. On many occasions, the stolen goods end up being sold for pennies on the dollar in Seattle so drug addicts can buy their next fix. But sometimes the thieves are local grandmas, like this woman who allegedly loaded up her cart with all kinds of stolen items. The community watch volunteer was firm but gentle. In the end, she pretty much admitted to the crime and inquired about getting more government subsidies.