WSDOT

Breaking Thursday morning, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) finally ordered crews to clear the notorious I-5 homeless encampment in downtown #Seattle. Even though it’s on Washington State Dept. of Transportation (@wsdot) property, the Mayor “deemed it an emergency,” so he was able to take control of this situation. I have been reporting for months now that the Mayor has always had this option. WSDOT’s problems have just become too much of a burden. The Mayor is clearly taking matters into his own hands. Otherwise, the investigation continues into this inferno, fueled by a DRUG TURF WAR involving homemade BOMBS. Witnesses say it was a REVENGE HIT JOB. Once again, this is not a housing crisis. A criminal enterprise was being Read More ›

Oh Boy WSDOT (@wsdot) and Gov. Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) are now dealing w/another out of control fire at a homeless encampment entrenched on a state right of way. There have already been multiple infernos at this downtown #Seattle location. @MayorofSeattle (video from Jeremy Harris) WSDOT Was Warned Look at this inferno back in March near the same spot. According state data, there are more than 2000 homeless encampments on state right of ways, many still in #Seattle. At what point does @MayorofSeattle step in. Questionnable Pace These encampment situations are out of control, even after millions of dollars poured into clearings and housing. That’s why I keep asking Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) about the timelines for removals. But right now, Read More ›

Across the street from Arrowhead Gardens senior living community on Myers Way in Seattle sprawls a massive homeless encampment. On Tuesday evening, frustrated seniors at Arrowhead Gardens unloaded their concerns over the encampment and slammed the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for mishandling the response. The seniors said they were “ashamed of the state,” and “feel threatened” living in close proximity to the encampment. The encampment has raised concerns about open air drug use, human trafficking, gun violence, and an overall increase in crime. Diane Radischat, president of Arrowhead’s senior living association, says a homeless person from the encampment “defecated in one of our washing machines.” A theme of the comments made Tuesday evening was a sense that the Read More ›

Jonathan Choe joins reporters on Newsmax to discuss the illegal takeover of Washington state property in Seattle where homeless occupants are felling trees, building driveways, and setting up pools. Watch the full clip here:

Up and Running The former Lacey Days Inn is now called Maple Court, the latest property converted into a homeless hotel to house people living along I-5 in #ThurstonCounty. Wednesday afternoon, Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) and city leaders from #Olympia, #Lacey, and #Tumwater showed up for the ribbon cutting ceremony. So far, 16 men and women along with their pets are now in this temporary shelter. More homeless people from various encampments on WSDOT properties will be filling up this place in the coming weeks as part of the Right of Way Initiative. Up to 125 will be staying here. It will be run by the Low Income Housing Institute (@LIHIhousing,) known for it’s “tiny house” villages. This facility will Read More ›

Encampment Shooter on the Loose Monday morning, I got tipped off about a shooting in #Chinatown-ID. But once I got there, law enforcement officers were swarming a homeless encampment off Dearborn St. under I-5 on Washington State Department of Transportation (@WSDOT) property. It’s finally being cleared later this week. One person was shot in the ankle. The circumstances remain unclear. Shooter is still on the run. I returned later in the evening and bumped into some fentanyl addicts who were clueless about what happened. More crime and drug related problems in Councilmember Tammy Morales’ (@CMTammyMorales) district. Lets see how she votes on the proposed bill to make open air drug use a misdemeanor. #Seattle @GovInslee @MayorofSeattle @kcexec @SeattleCouncil @KCCouncil @KingCoRHA Read More ›

WSDOT Falling Behind While #Seattle continues encampment sweeps multiple times each week, @WSDOT is not moving at same pace. I counted at least 10 camps in #Chinatown-ID alone on state property. Agency is clearly on a different timeline and community is asking why? Mini Camps Along Highway Clusters of tents+ structures remain in #Chinatown-ID on @wsdot property. Some have been here for more than year. Others popped up after massive 10th & Dearborn sweep few months ago. Rights of Way Initiative Since @GovInslee’s “Rights of Way Initiative” started earlier this year, @WAStateCommerce site appears to show less than a dozen removals so far. The most recent @WSDOT sweep in Northgate last week has not been added. Common Denominator This year Read More ›

Exclusive Another fire erupts at PROBLEMATIC homeless encampment on @WSDOT property in #Seattle‘s #Chinatown-ID. Inferno torched several tents. No injuries but biz owners are furious and want #WSDOT to SWEEP. Even @SeattlePD calling out state agency. Calling Out WSDOT I’ve obtained this email sent out by @SeattlePD to a concerned #Chinatown-ID community. Still waiting for @wsdot to respond to my questions. Bottom line, when will this encampment be cleared? It’s been on state highway property for months. Victimized Again Vuu’s Beauty School is taking the brunt of all the problems associated with this homeless encampment on @WSDOT property. Kim Nguyen owns the place and asks, when will @GovInslee start considering the needs of #Chinatown-ID businesses? No Response From WSDOT I Read More ›

Final Check @wsdot homeless encampment removal today at 10th/Dearborn in #Seattle, 11am. I spent Thursday night checking on peeps I’ve tracked since May. Many gathered here after SWEEPS. This area on outskirts of Little Saigon was used as massive drug den. Now What? Most of campers here have been housed for now. I’ve reached out to @WSDOT to ask how the agency plans to avoid another repeat performance of this encampment. Still waiting for a response. Campers broke the lock and moved in the last time around. Guidance for Campers Like other sweeps in Seattle, word would spread quickly in the homeless community about outreach and housing referrals. So there was a mad dash to get here in final weeks. Read More ›