Homeless encampment update: Still at Highland/W Marginal

Just drove through West Marginal/Highland Park Way intersection on the way back from somewhere else, and noted that dozens of pink tents are still on the site to which they moved after yesterday’s city sweep of “Nickelsville.” The “new” site on state property isn’t “across the street” as some describe it; it’s an adjacent parking-lot-type clearing just over a berm from the city land (left side of the start of the first video clip in last night’s report; photo at the bottom of the official “Nickelsville” web page). One unmarked TV-news truck, mast up (likely for a 5 pm report), was visible as we passed. Organizers’ official e-mail group says 23 people (police had said 22) were arrested in yesterday afternoon’s sweep and claims all “were back on site … by 3:30.”

Jay Beavers September 27, 2008 (4:35 pm)

Thanks for all the coverage of what’s going on, you’re doing a great job.

I’d like to point people who are interested in the story to the Nickeslville website. There you can see a list of what’s needed by the community as well as a way to donate.

– Jay (hope on day to make Mimi’s list) Beavers

WSB September 27, 2008 (4:40 pm)

Thanks – fwiw, that is linked in this blurb (click “official ‘Nickelsville’ web page) … one of our coverage trademarks is including A LOT OF LINKS … takes extra time to find them and code them but that’s what online media is able to do differently from linear media: give people the jumping-off points to explore. – TR

Jay Beavers September 27, 2008 (4:59 pm)

For the future, please feel free to embed or rehost any photo posted to the nickelsvilleseattle website. Thanks for the great coverage. I was not able to be on site for the takedown and your coverage and a couple of Flickr photostreams gave me a good idea of what went down.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=nickelsville
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marywit

Scott B. September 27, 2008 (8:40 pm)

I am a Seattle homeowner. I object to people squatting on City of Seattle property. That property is more my property than it is the squatters’ property, but I have no right to squat on that City of Seattle property.

Kick them off the City of Seattle’s property.

People who wail and gnash their teeth regarding the homeless should have to prove that they have at least one previously homeless person living in their home (thence not homeless).

The homeless crazies should be reinstitutionalized, and I am reluctantly willing to pay my share of taxes to make that happen since IMHO, it is the right thing to do, and IMHO, our society made a mistake by releasing the crazies from mental institutions.

The drunks/addicts/(free spirits) cost all taxpayers money. A first step toward lowering costs to taxpayers for those incorrigibles would be to make a less-hospitable environment for those undesirables. That is what the City of Seattle is doing, as far as I can tell.

The bleeding hearts who advocate for the drunks/addicts/(free spirits) should prove that they share their home with one of those undesirables before they are allowed to castigate taxpayers for not doing enough.

I am in a perilous financial situation myself, so keep that in mind while you prepare your blast.

Alki September 27, 2008 (9:49 pm)

Scott, I’ll see you at tent city next year. We might both be living there. You never know what turns life may take and what situation we’ll be in. I hope if you ever are in that situation, folks will have more compassion on you than you are showing for them.

Scott B. September 28, 2008 (12:00 am)

Alki,

“I’ll see you at tent city next year.”

I don’t think so.

me September 28, 2008 (1:13 am)

“You never know what turns life may take and what situation we’ll be in.”

You got that right. People get sick, they die, businesses fail…the right series of events could take almost any one of us down.

acemotel September 28, 2008 (2:37 am)

word, Alki.

Some people are born without the compassion gene. The measure of a person is how he treats those less powerful than he is. The measure of society is how it treats those in poverty, in sickness, in despair.

Kayleigh September 28, 2008 (4:50 am)

Scott, I actually feel more sorry for you than I do for the people at Nickellsville. Because those people are coping. If you were to become homeless with your deep-seated judgements and hatred for the homeless….well, heaven help you.

Alcina September 28, 2008 (7:51 am)

What is happening in Seattle is not unique, tent cities/homeless encampments are cropping up in cities all over the country. Here’s an AP article primarly about Reno, but also mentions Seattle and many other cities
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.tentcity28sep28,0,7143626.story However, in some cities, like Reno, they admit there aren’t enough shelter beds and that city is building shelters.

Sorry, comment time is over.