FOLLOWUP: Camp Second Chance on Myers Way says it has a reprieve

| Myers Way | West Seattle news

10:48 PM: Last time we heard from Camp Second Chance, the encampment that moved from a Tukwila church to a private site on Myers Way, and then to city-owned land across the street, it had a deadline to clear out: The city had posted a warning that it would clear the site at 9:30 yesterday morning. But it didn’t happen; a social-media post by the camp’s nonprofit sponsor said the city extended the deadline until tomorrow. That apparently isn’t happening either; tonight, the camp liaison contacted us to say they’d received word of another extension, to “mid- to late-August.” The camp is hoping the city will allow them to stay until they find a new, authorized site; they say they might have an offer of one on private land in South Park. Meantime, we’ll be checking with the city tomorrow.

THURSDAY NOTE: An SPD Community Police Team officer who’s been focused on homelessness-related efforts tells WSB the “week or two” reprieve claim is accurate.

flimflam August 3, 2016 (11:43 pm)

huh. set up a camp wherever you want, legal or not. the city is sanctioning this, encouraging this and also giving more people the idea that the law doesn’t apply to everyone equally. great.

Marianne August 4, 2016 (6:34 am)

It would be great to see a copy of the reprieve allowing this illegal encampment to stay on city owned property. So far what the camp leadership has said has not been true.

WSB August 4, 2016 (7:01 am)

Don’t know if it’s anything in writing. But it’s certainly true that while they had a notice saying it would be cleared on Tuesday morning, that hasn’t happened.

JoB August 4, 2016 (6:46 am)

they are doing so at the request of several members of the faith based community who are familiar with this particular camp… not all homeless camps are created equal.

JoB August 4, 2016 (7:26 am)

I have not seen the paperwork.. but i do know there was an effort in our local faith based community to contact the Mayor’s office to get a temporary reprieve for this group.. a reprieve that was supported by social service agencies who were working with members of this camp.

this is what our working poor looks like when they can’t find affordable housing.

Low Bridge August 4, 2016 (8:00 am)

Is there any talk about the large group camping underneath the West Seattle bridge from the low bridge all the way to east marginal? Huge gathering of RV’s and a ton of tents. And a ton of garbage everywhere.

We’re starting to call it Spokane Street State Park

Neighbor August 4, 2016 (9:41 am)

Thanks for commenting Low Bridge. TR, can you help call attention to the encampments all along this area from underneath the east end of the low bridge to E Marginal Way? So much trash in huge piles. I’ve seen a lot of rats here and hypodermic needles – it’s a public health crisis. It’s gotten really bad this summer.

WSB August 4, 2016 (10:20 am)

That’s outside SW Precinct jurisdiction.

Jissy August 4, 2016 (10:40 am)

I’M SHOCKED! Not.

JoB August 5, 2016 (9:52 am)

http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/dear-mayor-stop-evicting-the-homeless/

Jeff Hayes August 5, 2016 (12:42 pm)

Why even bother with “sanctioning”? There are unsanctioned homeless encampments all over Seattle and several in South Park already on private properties. There is no official “sanctioning” process currently being observed. The City has no control of the homeless population and they’re fooling themselves to think that they do. The homeless (tail) are dictating to the City Council & Mayor (dog) what will be done.

Randy on Rose Street August 5, 2016 (12:46 pm)

Hi. I live down the hill in South Park from the second chance camp, and I’m a homeowner here. I support this camp, and oppose sweeping it.

This camp is doing everything we could ask of them, many of the 25 members have jobs, but don’t earn enough to afford housing. They are drug and alcohol free, they self-police, they have a partner non-profit that is paying for porta-potties and weekly trash.

The people in the camp are like us. Many people live paycheck to paycheck and just one paycheck away from not being able to afford housing. There but for the grace of God go all of us.

Chris Diezel August 6, 2016 (4:49 pm)

You should all step back , breath , and ask yourself , what you would do if you were in financial ruin , in foreclosure , or your assets seized or your significant other passed on owing more debt than you could pay… . Would you have someone to lean on? Live with? For how long? Sounds like you have never had this happen to you , or someone you know. The encampment members , gathered for security , a place to keep there belongings while looking for or working. It gives them peace of mind. The world , will not be perfect , and to be “frank” your not perfect either. You all have problems , just not mentioned here .. What gives “you” the right to look down on the “poorest” of this nation, or the multiple war veterans , who are in that camp. They are decent folks doing what is necessary to live , just like “you”.

Sorry, comment time is over.