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1. cookie addict
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   After two years of constant noise and trash and parties, the cops finally took the instruments from the rock band across the street. It was BIG news for all the neighbors and made the West Seattle Harald! It has been quite for a week....

   Now, I hear that a couple has moved into a tent in the back yard two houses down from the party house. The were "invited" to live there by the home owner in exchange for yard work. REALLY?!?! There are 600+K homes on this street! So far, we have all had the joy of a drunk screaming woman falling in the front yard, a guy peeing in the ally, trash in the neighbors yards, and the couple next to them had a family BBQ interrupted with screams of ecstasy coming from the tent. We called the city and was told that nothing could be done. There is no Seattle City municipal code that makes it illegal to have a homeless couple living in a tent in your back yard...

   Anybody have any ideas about how to help make this all go away?

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. DOC
   Member Profile

   Well, there is always murdering them and burying them in your own backyard, but that isn't exactly legal. Perhaps you could try to compete with the screams of extacy, or get more drunk then they are and crash the tent.

   Or perhaps you could just talk to the owners of the house and find out what the story is.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. cookie addict
   Member Profile

   

   Did that:

   "They were "invited" to live there by the home owner in exchange for yard work."

   He doesn't get out much and is seemingly happy with the arrangement. I don't see how "offing them" or getting blindly drunk will rid the yard of tarps, beer bottles, the pee bucket, or our new friends. Looking for both helpful and LEGAL input on fixing the problem.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. HunterG
   Member Profile

   

   Bees and I'm not talkin' the honey makin kind.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   http://www.amazon.com/Contech-Yellow-Jacket-Wasp-Lure/dp/B000TYQDQM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1278462926&sr=1-5

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. SomeGuy
   Member Profile

   http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Urine-Lure-32-oz/dp/B0006IGZSM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1278464653&sr=1-1

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. SomeGuy
   Member Profile

   http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Ounce-Bottle-Spray-Mist/dp/B000OCEWGW/ref=pd_sbs_k_11

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. j
   Member Profile

   If you need a good laugh, go through the reviews of the "Liquid A" link from comment 7. Super hilarious! If that won't work, I don't know what will.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   j...I read that and was just about on the floor rolling around, I was laughing so hard. Who thinks up these things? lolol...

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. DOC
    Member Profile

    If you have talked to the home owner about it, and he is fine with them living there, did you at least raise concerns about there behavior? If he still doesn't care, have you tried talking to them directly? (As with the rules of Rants)

    I guess if talking doesn't work, liquid ass is always an option. Or getting drunk and having fun. Or competing with the extacy. But really you could just talk to them and explain that they are lucky they found a place to stay. Perhaps even barter with them. One home cooked meal a week in exchange for their respect for the neighborhood. That could work.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    so...a few questions come to mind. Where do they cook? Where do they bathe? Brush their teeth? Wash their clothes? Does this guy provide them with running water? Do they clean up after themselves? Get rid of garbage? What do they do if they have to go in the middle of the night? Just go in the yard? Inquiring minds want to know (maybe - lol).

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. DOC
    Member Profile

    Agree with JanS, more information for better responses.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. cookie addict
    Member Profile

    

    We have talked to the owner and have talked somewhat sensibly with the male "tenet." They have restricted use of the shower in his house and use the public bathrooms at the library down the street. Cooking is done both in and outdoors. Peeing is done in the yard, orange home depot bucket or ally. Both of the people in the back seem to have alcohol issues, but the female also seems to have a chemical dependency problem and possible mental disorder. Both the homeowner and her companion have apologized for her repeated screaming, cussing, throwing of trash (the used feminine hygiene pad has taken the prize so far), behavior, drunkenness, etc...

    Barter for good behavior? Do you have kids? Do you know what happens when you barter for better behavior or grades - you lose influence and it makes the unwanted behavior worse. Imagine a 40 year old drunk kid... Bartering is not an option. Bees though...

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    so I wonder if eventually, the police/health department can be notified that the campsite is a health hazard., using the yard/alley as a urinal, etc. That's not exactly de rigueur for a neighborhood , is it?

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. cookie addict
    Member Profile

    

    No, not normal for the neighborhood... Would this be normal in any West Seattle neighborhood that you know of? Do half-naked men pee in the ally behind your home?

    There is nothing the police can do as there is no statute that outlaws homelessness in Seattle nor camping in a backyard once invited by the owner - if he now wants them to leave then they actually have squatter's rights and it could take months to make evict them. For the health or police department to act they have to be caught in the act of doing something illegal. If that happens then they are cited and depending on the severity of the violation, then it could still be 30 to 60 days to have them removed.

    We looked into this before I posted. What we were looking for was someone else who has been in this situation and what they did or if anyone has an idea about some obscure city ordnance that can be used here.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. Diana
    Member Profile

    I suggest contacting the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, Code Compliance department. They have a list of codes they enforce and are really helpful. Then I'd try the health department.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

17. angelescrest
    Member Profile

    

    Cookie,
    You have our sympathies. I have followed this thread, and though I have no suggestions, I just wanted you to know that it sounds deplorable (and, yes, the homeless need homes, mental health care, etc.)and unfair. It doesn't take a lot to change a neighborhood. We hope there is a solution. Shoot.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

18. anonyme
    Member Profile

    Sounds like there are several code, health, and legal violations here. The problem is, can you get police, or any other agency, to respond?

    Public urination is a crime; it can also be considered a sex crime depending on how and when it's done, witnesses, etc. I would say that no access to a toilet for 'immediate' needs would be another actionable issue, as is the Homer bucket. Where do they empty it?

    Calling police if someone is screaming (for any reason) is justifiable & who knows what else they might find when/if they investigate? Wasn't there some speculation that these two might be abusing drugs? I know firsthand how difficult it is to get action from the City, but it is possible if you're persistent. Any violation you can find, no matter how seemingly irrelevant, might do the trick.

    Good luck & keep us posted.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

19. pam
    Member Profile

    I don't know either - sounds awful. Don't suppose the yard sprinkler would reach if you 'had' to water your yard at 5:00 a.m.????

    Posted 1 year ago #         

20. cookie addict
    Member Profile

    

    Diana, Pam & anonyme:

    Thank you for the response and the note of sympathy! Taking the advice My wife called department of P&D. They agreed that it is unacceptable and filed a complaint. They will investigate and then contact the homeowner. It could take a while (30 days or so), but they can have the couple relocated.

    The health department also opened a case, but they admitted it could take a while (2+ weeks) for the investigator to make any determination. The police... unless there are needles in the yard, blood on the grass, firearms, exposure with malicious intent, etc... it would take them a while to respond. They have more important things to do other than deal with this and I can understand that. The desk Sgt at the SW precinct was VERY sympathetic, but asked that we try all other avenues before involving the police as their hands are virtually tied because the new tenets are guests of the homeowner.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

21. anonyme
    Member Profile

    If the tenants are breaking the law it makes no difference if they are there at the invitation of the homeowner or not. Loud sex is disturbing the peace, and screaming indicates a possible assault. While the police may not be able to take action due to their presence alone (or health & hygiene issues) they most certainly CAN take action against other illegal activities.

    Based on your description of this pair, I'd also be concerned about the possibility of theft or burglary. If you have a block watch, I'd make sure the neighbors knew what was happening.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

22. cookie addict
    Member Profile

    

    ALL the neighbors know. There are a bunch of little ones on the street so there are other worries as well as the possibility of theft. The guy in the ally behind is almost militant about them leaving. Apparently, the cops came yesterday and talked to them about the noise and drinking, but no real action.... I guess we will wait and see.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

23. Diana
    Member Profile

    Keep us posted. It is often very difficult to determine what city departments cover certain issues but I think you are making progress. Be patient, as best you can, as it will take awhile. These are your tax dollars at work. Budget cuts have delayed response times but the system works. The information you provide as to the outcome will help others.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

24. cookie addict
    Member Profile

    

    A couple of updates:

    1. We got a call from the dept of health this morning. The owner was sent a letter and has until the 16th to have the tent/tarp gone, but they said in many cases the offending material is removed for inspection then returned after. The complaint/letter process starts all over again.
    2. We were briefly out in the front yard on Sunday and heard the female talking on her mobile phone: apparently, At&T has a preferred-hobo cellular plan... anyway she was loudly complaining about her "new neighbors" and how loud their kid was, that the guy used his tools too early, and how they constantly bothered the guy who own the yard they are sleeping in. She only slurred her words a little while having this discussion and only fell once - really happened! She seemed to be having the conversation for the benefit of the neighbors - putting them on notice as it were.

    I will say that the yard has never looked better... The grass is almost manicured.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

25. cookie addict
    Member Profile

    

    Tent and drunken antics are gone. The Health dept, Police, and Zoning all made an appearance. The hassle got to be too much and they packed up and left yesterday afternoon. Hopefully, it is for good. A couple of us are getting together and will take care of the yard in their absence so that the home owner will not be tempted to make a similar arrangement again.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

26. anonyme
    Member Profile

    Hooray and congratulations! What a perfect example of neighborhood activism, with an altruistic ending. Good for you.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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