Street Report

From “Doom Loop” to “Boom Loop,” San Francisco could be turning the corner on all the crime, chaos and death. A new mayor and new approach to the homeless drug crisis could be the game changer. Here’s part 1 of our series in the Bay Area. Parts of San Francisco have been described as being stuck in a perpetual doom loop. A never-ending pattern of crime, chaos, and death. But some of the most problematic neighborhoods in the city could be getting ready to break out of this vicious cycle. “Is the Tenderloin looking better?” I ask a local resident. “Oh yeah, it is,” he responds. That’s because new mayor Daniel Lurie is on a mission to reclaim what was Read More ›

New King County’s latest homeless hotel is set to open in Kirkland this summer. It’s “low barrier” and drug addicts will be allowed on site without any requirements to seek treatment. They call it “Health Through Housing.” During Tuesday evening’s community forum, concerned residents were not satisfied with the responses and non-answers to their questions. Despite major community concerns about crime and 911 calls spiking in the area, the woke city council capitulated and gave into Dow Constantine’s demands. It’s now pretty much a done deal. Controversial housing provider Plymouth Housing will run the joint.

New A notorious Seattle drug camp could be getting shut down today. It’s right next to Lake Washington Girls Middle School and it’s turned into a chop shop full of stolen bikes and motorcycles. But it’s taken months for the city to respond and neighbors say this is unacceptable. For nearly two months complaints have been pouring into the city about open-air drug use, warming fires, and trash overwhelming several streets in Beacon Hill. Most of the chaos is coming from this encampment at the corner of 22nd Ave South and South Walker Street. A notorious hot spot for broken RVs, tents, and all kinds of illegal activity. When I point out a black Hyundai, one local tells me, “That’s Read More ›

“Their End Goal Is to Completely Nullify Police Unions” The president of Seattle’s police union is doubling down and accusing Mayor Bruce Harrell and Marxist State Rep. Shaun Scott of colluding on a bill that could dismantle collective bargaining rights for officers.

New As Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell wraps up his latest State of the City address, the drug crisis downtown remains a massive black eye with no end in sight. Want proof? Early Tuesday morning, I walked the area around 3rd Ave & Pike St. and it was zombie land. No cops, no outreach, just human suffering. While the drug dens are less visible during the day, the problem is just being moved around. So it all comes back at night. Everyone who lives and works downtown knows this. The current plan is a band-aid solution because the root causes are not being addressed. There’s gotta be interventions and better treatment options before we hand out any more free drug supplies. Read More ›

Happening Now Massive fire inside a vacant house on Walker St in S. Seattle. Witnesses say it was likely started by the homeless. Neighbors have been complaining about more tents and RVs showing up in this area which is also near the Taco Time off Rainier Ave.

New For the past few years, all eyes have been on Seattle’s homeless drug crisis. But Kent’s street problems are being compounded by the “nomad class.” These are the people who have tapped out from society and are refusing shelter and services. They want to stay in nature and have taken over prime wetlands and greenbelts, building treehouses to evade enforcement in this South King County city. Beautiful streams are now clogged with trash and the environmental cost to clean this up is easily in the millions. I spent the past week investigating the situation which is spread out across the city. I will be launching the entire series soon. Here is a preview.

New Late Tuesday evening, I wanted to check on Little Saigon in Chinatown-ID. There’s been a massive law enforcement push to clear the streets of drug addicts and the black market of stolen goods. 12th Ave & Jackson St remains clear. But all the action has moved to King St and Weller St. Last month, Mayor Harrell decided to give the problematic DESC Navigation Center more time to move. That means CID residents will have to put up with crime and drug dealing for a couple more months. Good deal…not.

New After months of positive progress, parts of downtown Seattle have regressed. Look what’s happening on a Tuesday evening! The drug dens have come roaring back and the black market of stolen goods is thriving at the corner of 3rd Ave & Pike St. But now the hoard has moved over to Walgreens and Piroshky Bakery. Councilmember Bob Kettle and Downtown Seattle must ask for consistent patrols at all hours of the day. Otherwise, this place will turn into a wasteland. Btw, no doubt this is spillover from recent crackdowns in Chinatown-ID. The lawlessness just moves from one neighborhood to another. Consistent enforcement is the only way to get ahead of this crowd. The addicts must get into treatment. More Read More ›

SB 5222 WA’s Senate Housing Committee heard testimony on SB 5222, a bill that would mandate a 7% cap on rent increases (aka rent control). If you care about the cost of housing, watch these key moments from expert testimony. But first, the bill’s sponsor asking for grace. PRO PRO price cap: Bryce Yadon says renters “deserve the same assurance I have that my mortgage won’t increase 25% in a single year because the bank decided they didn’t plan.” “I’ll have to do some research…” Sen Chris Gildon asks Bryce for an example of where rent control has worked. “I’ll have to do some research and get back to you.” Counter-Question Sen Alvarado (who introduced the bill as a Rep Read More ›