MYERS WAY CAMPERS: City sets next ‘community conversation’ for May 15th

| Myers Way | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of Camp Second Chance, taken last month)

Just in from the city’s director of homelessness George Scarola – a third “community conversation” about the now-sanctioned encampment Camp Second Chance on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels and the non-sanctioned campers in the area:

At the community meeting on February 1st, there was a request to arrange a third meeting that would focus on public-safety issues related to homelessness along Myers Way South:

*Issues relating to the RVs parked along Myers Way and the unsanctioned encampments east of Myers Way;

*Concerns raised by community members regarding 9-1-1 calls;

*The City’s ongoing efforts to remove the trash along Myers Way; and,

*A progress report from Camp Second Chance.

That will all be part of this:

3rd Community Conversation re: Myers Way Homeless Encampment

Monday, May 15th

7:00 – 8:30 PM

Joint Training Facility, 9401 Myers Way South

WSB coverage of the February 1st meeting is here; our coverage of the December meeting is here. Scarola, meantime, briefed the City Council two weeks ago (WSB coverage here) and CSC’s population was listed as 33 at the time, just under half its current capacity.

Archie April 25, 2017 (2:58 pm)

Oh good, more talking. That should fix it.

Amy Thomson April 25, 2017 (3:16 pm)

I live in a neighborhood near the site of the old Nicklesville encampments. The encampments were not a problem, but the “halo effect” of people camping AROUND Nicklesville was very worrying. The encampments themselves were highly self-policed and had trash and sanitary arrangements. The people camping in the woods were often people who couldn’t stick to the camp rules, and trash and waste built up around their camp sites. The longer the official camp was there, the worse the situation in the woods became. I hope that steps are taken to reduce this halo effect in the Myers Way site.

Dave April 25, 2017 (4:28 pm)

I’ve been seeing blue tarps in the woods west of Marginal Way north and south of Highland Park for years.

flimflam April 25, 2017 (4:52 pm)

i’m pretty sure the “community conversation” will be filed under the “well, we listened. so anyway, here’s what we will do….” category. kind of strange that a “camp” that began with a broken lock and trespassing can become sanctioned, but I guess that’s how things are now.

WSB April 25, 2017 (5:24 pm)

Cheaper than setting up a new one, aside from the controversy over whether to sanction any at all. Anyway, some requests from the last meeting really did happen, like the Myers Way streetlights (requested by Highland Park community leaders). So cynicism might not be entirely called for. Good reminder to check back on the full list of requests and see what’s still outstanding.
Neal Lampi May 15, 2017 (1:57 pm)

This is a growing epidemic of national proportions, it is exacerbated in coastal regions, Pacific & Atlantic as well as Chicago… The problem began with massive HUD cuts in the eighties. The loss of Union Manufacturing jobs and “free trade” have not helped. To blame the campers for the lack of employment opportunities, & the lack of affordable housing seems ludicrous.

BTW flimflam, This nation was founded with blood soaked bolt cutters.

Neal

New Thinking Needed April 25, 2017 (7:35 pm)

This city approved ‘campground’ on Myers Way has spread into the forest on the hill side between Myers Ways and Highway 509. As you travel north on 509 and look to your left up the hillside you will see the blue tarps, tents, shacks, garbage piles…..

The city appears to be allowing the development of a 2 tier system, one for homeless and the other for the non-homeless. Columbia Legal Services is suing the city because a homeless person’s vehicle (their home) was towed after being parked in the same spot for months. The person was able to get their vehicle back with all the impound and tow fees waived…. or maybe paid for by the City as most likely the towing company isn’t doing this work for free? The Seattle Public Schools apparently has a hardship allowance for homeless students with poor grades to still participate on sports teams -see the 4/25/17 Seattle Times Watchdog article, front page, about Garfield High.

WSB April 25, 2017 (7:51 pm)

Those areas of Myers Way had people camping there long before Camp Second Chance showed up last year, and the camp itself hasn’t “spread,” as it’s not even at capacity. Not all of the areas are in city jurisdiction – there are state and county parcels there too. But come to the meeting and bring up your concerns; one thing that was requested at the last one – and at other community meetings – has been having county people there as well as city people. We’ll check before the meeting if that request is going to be honored. – TR

Aaron Goss May 11, 2017 (11:28 am)

Before anyone passes judgement on homeless people they should look deep into themselves and put themselves in their shoes. I have met a lot of homeless people in my life and I always treat them with respect. They are human beings after all. I get a lot of them stopping by my bike shop for bike repair. Most are trying to improve their lives. A bicycle is a great tool for that. I help them keep their bikes running. I am proud of Seattle for helping create this camp. It is a much better use of the city’s tax resources than arresting people.

Sorry, comment time is over.