ANDOVER ENCAMPMENT: West Seattle Health Club says city is promising to clear it Thursday

CarDriver June 14, 2022 (5:46 pm)

Good!! Long past due!!

Eddie June 14, 2022 (5:59 pm)

Free batteries and tires. a) pisses me off
b) well intentioned
c) most of those vehicles need way more than batteries and tires to move ever again under their own power.
Going to be a circus.

Jethro Marx June 14, 2022 (6:58 pm)

Sounds like you doubt the troubleshooting abilities of random people, but I bet many of these vehicles will drive away. I appreciate the finality of the proposed solutions, but I doubt the effectiveness, of both the fix and the council. Did anyone consider why they ended up on that block? What good does it do the whole community if we simply make another block the preferred spot? And to all, please don’t suggest we spend money to harass people on the margins into frequent moves unless there’s a legitimately helpful purpose afoot.
- Eric1 June 14, 2022 (7:44 pm)
  
  Jethro, they ended up homeless on that block because they wore out their welcome with family and friends. Our family takes care of several relatives who are less fortunate (technically homeless). Low/no rent housing, help with children’s education, and the normal help people give their relatives. The only requirements? Get a job (if able), stay off drugs, don’t bite the hand that feeds you, and don’t make the cops come by the properties. To be honest, I also have a couple of relatives on the streets as well. They were offered these services and more (paid drug treatment). Do I care where they are? Sort of… They had their chances. If they were living in one of these RVs, I would feel sorry for the nearby residents (not my relatives). I say spend the money to clean up the streets so tax paying residents can live the lives they earned through education and hard work. Services will be offered during the clean up and don’t give me crap about not liking rules of the help offered (beggars can’t be choosers). Everybody in life follows rules, if you can’t follow the rules, please find someone who is willing to put up with your antics on their property (the City of Seattle shouldn’t have to). The city is offering the same services my family offers (perhaps at a lower level) and if the residents don’t take it, then they need to move along and NOT to another block in this city. These are legitimate services being offered by the city and not wanting to accept these services is not a valid excuse. If they think the offers are inadequate, perhaps they should have taken the better ones from their relatives before they burned that bridge.
  - Ummm75 June 14, 2022 (8:24 pm)
    
    Well said!
  - Jethro Marx June 14, 2022 (9:30 pm)
    
    Sorry, you seem to have misunderstood- I was not trying to solicit opinions on whether or not the homeless deserve to be helped based on their life choices or whatever. I meant, literally, why this particular block? I am being realistic; the rvs will quickly reconvene in a different spot that has similarities to this one, and maybe they won’t return if there’s ecoblocks here but an effective strategy to end rv problems in the neighborhoods is not pushing the rvs around on an every-seven-or-eight-years schedule. That is the classic Seattle short-term fix to a long-term city issue.
  - Ralph June 15, 2022 (5:54 am)
    
    Yes. Good perspective
  - Karen June 15, 2022 (6:31 am)
    
    💯 Agree, sad but true state of affairs
  - Crow June 15, 2022 (6:36 am)
    
    The level of biased projection on Eric1’s comment is ridiculous. Quick reminder that not everyone has relatives or family that:
    
    A. are around anymore;
    B. willing to help out;
    C. able to help, even if willing;
    D. have their own space to share.
    
    Don’t conflate your bad experiences with personal relatives into generalizations on a large group of people who you probably don’t actually know and only assume their circumstances based on your limited anecdotes.
    
    The real issue, as I (just one little individual) see it, is that the housing issues of the city has caused additional societal trauma, alongside the impact of the pandemic, that everyone is trying to deal with in their own ways… but not everyone is equipped to. No one wants to be held accountable for the direct visible suffering of others, so the blame-game will continue to shift around while the suffering continues.
  - JAH June 15, 2022 (8:07 am)
    
    Oh, Eric. I would love to meet you. I am willing to put money on the fact that you are a model citizen. Someone who has always excelled at everything. Someone who has always followed every single rule. A pillar in the community. You know, Eric, we probably share a similar outlook. But sometimes the family dynamics are not so clear cut. I’m sure there is no divorce in your family. No stepmoms or stepdads. No sibling rivalries. No jealousy. No envy. No power struggles. Sometimes, Eric, “you gotta burn the bridges, to light the way.”
  - WS4life June 15, 2022 (8:40 am)
    
    Right on!!! Well said!!
  - Arthur June 15, 2022 (9:39 am)
    
    Bravo
  - WS Girl June 15, 2022 (10:05 am)
    
    Well said….could not agree with you more!!
  - Mr Henry June 15, 2022 (10:41 am)
    
    Eric, I agree with you 100 percent. I’m tired of Seattle pouring money down a rat hole and not seeing and major changes in the homeless RV Camp concerns. These RV camps will just move to another hood and screw it up. The city has to many Chefs in the kitchen trying to make a name for themselves and not enough worker bees to get the job done. I’m tired of supporting these free programs with my tax dollars. Shame on The City of Seattle 😡
  - Mark32 June 15, 2022 (12:22 pm)
    
    Thank you.
  - Blueandpurple June 15, 2022 (6:13 pm)
    
    Absolutely agree. Well said and I definitely support. Anyone that contradicts you has a surface-level experience with the homeless. If you work with them professionally you know the real truths behind their “plight”.
    - Cozy June 15, 2022 (10:07 pm)
      
      @Blueandpurple, What professional work do you do with homeless individuals?
      
      Clearly not advocacy.
  - Paul Meyer June 16, 2022 (5:29 am)
    
    Your so wrong I bet if you lost everything u couldn’t handle a week homeless
- Kali June 14, 2022 (8:52 pm)
  
  Sounds like someone who hasnt had to deal with it on their block. If you believe in spreading the love maybe you take a few shootings next to your house for a change.
  - Amanda Richer June 15, 2022 (2:39 pm)
    
    Actually I do live in the neighborhood and wholeheartedly agree with Crow.
- Ralph June 15, 2022 (5:51 am)
  
  Good! If they would just lift a finger to help themselves and take advantage of the opportunity offered them I might have more compassion. I was homeless and lived in my RV for 5 years. I renovated it and make it into a very nice home. I never parked on city streets for more than a couple of days and left the area the way I found it (or better). The difference is I never had a substance abuse problem. I took advantage of the services offered by the city and now am self supported for 5 years and live in a great apartment and have a beautiful life. Thanks to the city of Seattle. I did this because I wanted more from life.
  - Mr Henry June 15, 2022 (11:33 am)
    
    Ralph, if the RV campers were more like you, the City of Seattle would not have the problem it has had for way to many years. Thanks for being a responsible citizen 👍♥️
  - Friend O'Dinghus June 15, 2022 (1:27 pm)
    
    Great to hear Ralph! It’s important for us to hear from those who have taken full advantage of the programs oriented for long term self-sufficiency. Thanks much for sharing your story, and an even bigger thank you for sticking with it until you were happy once again. Way to go!
  - Blueandpurple June 15, 2022 (6:14 pm)
    
    You’re the example to follow, Ralph.
  - Cozy June 15, 2022 (10:18 pm)
    
    Thanks for sharing @Ralph. Glad you have a good situation now.
    
    Everyone who is homeless has unique and often complex reasons for being there, with varying histories and life experience, challenges/barriers, and vulnerabilities. Some will have a harder homeless experience, will be more entrenched, will have more difficulty connecting with the help and support they need, and with recovering from trauma.
    
    Glad for you that you were able to recover and have a better life. Good for you, I’m sure you did have to work hard to get there.
    
    Not everyone is as fortunate, and may be up against more than you were. Why not feel compassion for this?

happy in seattle June 14, 2022 (6:00 pm)

about time!

stupidinseattle June 14, 2022 (6:02 pm)

Haul them away and keep them away. Thank you Mayor and SPD for returning our neighborhood to us!

Hopeful neighbor June 14, 2022 (6:42 pm)

Finally!! This time, hopefully, the city will clear the area from RVs and tents. I still think that it’s too early to feel good as the city had several remediation(!) before which were trash pick up.

MM June 14, 2022 (6:48 pm)

YES!!! Halleluja! 👏🎉👍

DRW June 14, 2022 (6:54 pm)

6 plus years. Yes its about time. And thank you. I hope everybody finds the placement that they need. I hope we all can recover from our pandemic haze.

Boinsted June 14, 2022 (6:54 pm)

It’s about time! Move along folks. I’ll be down there checking serial numbers on bicycles at the chop shop. I’m missing a couple from the immediate area. They are likely long gone.

justme June 14, 2022 (7:15 pm)

Boinsted; then you’ll want to also check the “start up” happening south of Genesee on 26th. Several bikes stacking up behind those RV’s as well.
- Boinsted June 14, 2022 (9:07 pm)
  
  Will do… thanks for the heads up justme.
Observant Biker June 15, 2022 (8:19 am)

Boinsted-There are also a number of frames, tires and parts along the bike path under the Alaska Way S and Colorado Ave S overpass. I counted nearly 10 frames hanging on the fence before the railroad tracks and a stack of more than 10 frames being scraped and painted at the encampment.

mehud7 June 14, 2022 (7:13 pm)

Sadly, many of the residents have pets.

Scubafrog June 14, 2022 (7:29 pm)

“They” are still homeless. And they‘ll just end up somewhere else in West Seattle. Like your neighborhoods. Harrell had no solution, his campaign was built on hot air, no solutions. So you clear the encampments to the cheering roar of the uneducated plebs, then what? Keep clearing the perpetually-moving homeless for 4 years? What a $&*t show.

Rhonda June 14, 2022 (7:57 pm)

Perpetual clearing beats letting them illegally occupy our neighborhoods, so put this educated, non-pleb down for perpetual clearing, please.
Chad June 14, 2022 (8:00 pm)

Dear Scubafrog,We all started like you. 6 years ago, we tried to help, tried to be positive, tried to interact with the new neighbors and offer food and assistance. In return, we got harassment, assaults, break ins, cars stolen, windows busted, businesses destroyed, drug markets and rat infestation. After 6 years, we need a break. None of us think this is the answer to homelessness. But it’s not fair to make a few people take the brunt of the problem for this long. We are not anti homeless. But we have become anti encampment. Not all homeless folks are criminals. We know this. But encampments are magnets for criminal activity, against the housed and unhoused. Encampments cannot be allowed to exist. And by clearing them, that does not mean the city is fixing the housing issue, but they are fixing a crime issue. A public safety issue and a small business economic issue. We are all seriously tired of the criminal activity. If people living in RVs were in drug treatment, had background checks, and complied with basic laws, we would all be happy to have them stay. But that’s not reality.If you don’t personally have an encampment in your front yard, then by all means, do your part. Take some of these folks in. And 6 years from now, you can an update us on how it’s going. Everyone has to do their part. Every street and every neighborhood MUST take an encampment for some length of time. It’s only fair. So when it’s your turn, I hope you will take it with a smile, as we all did 6 years ago. But that 6 years has changed us. We no longer see the issue of homelessness as binary. The city CAN sweep and build housing and enforce the law equally across all housed and unhoused, and provide drug treatment. We can do all of these things, in parallel. What we cannot do, anymore, is think the old way about this issue-sweeps are wrong because they don’t solve anything. No one thing will solve it all. We must do all of these things. And sweeping rat infested crime magnets is just one of those things.
- LCEcoBloc June 17, 2022 (12:07 pm)
  
  Chad! I’m a resident of Lake City here to read about the W. Seattle RV sweep. EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS 100% RIGHT ON. We too had RV’s and tents in our neighborhood for six years, some 50 yards from our home. We took it in stride at first. IT WAS LIVING HELL. People who don’t have an encampment outside their homes could learn something from the comments of those who do. We had constant drug dealing and people using in broad daylight. We had people slumped over in running cars. We had swarming rats. We had prostitution. Cars coming and going loudly all night and day. Endless mail theft, trespassing, robbery, water and power theft. People in psychotic episodes screaming night and day. Fights. Gun shots. Next door neighbors had endless people in their yard defecating and urinating. Twice they found men in their back yard at night. One single woman opened her door to let her dog out and found a man standing in her doorway. She immediately moved… didn’t even wait to sell her home. Elderly neighbors afraid to leave their homes. Immigrants afraid to visit our park. This is NO WAY to live, and no city resident should be expected to absorb this into their daily lives. In six years we met almost no one who wasn’t mentally ill on some level. Basically all had some mental illness and most also addiction. Until there is expectation of follow-through with accepting help while living on City property, and eventual consequences for refusal, this will never end. In the meantime, NO RESIDENT should be expected to put up with the intense problems of the homeless community while in their homes or business. Good Luck West Seattle – we got eco blocks and put them along our street and its been GLORIOUS.
Kayo June 14, 2022 (8:11 pm)

Yep. We are already seeing rv’s moving in a few blocks south of here on 26th. And the tent encampment at 26th and Juneau is growing. It just moves the problem around. Be careful what you wish for…
CarDriver June 14, 2022 (8:36 pm)

Scubafrog. You seem to have answers and a better way. Please share.
wow June 14, 2022 (9:02 pm)

Calling voters in one of America’s most literate cities “uneducated plebs” and saying the current mayor, who has done more in six months than Durkan did in four years, was decisively elected after his “campaign was built on hot air” is totally inaccurate. He has a long way to go but he’s on the right track if his detractors are already resorting to low-level attacks.
My two cents June 14, 2022 (10:17 pm)

I think most people have sympathy, empathy and concern for those that are marginalized or in need of services – but there is tradeoff where the community also needs to feel safe. From my admittedly small circle of friends and coworkers, there doesn’t seem to be anyone rebutting the fact that they don’t feel as safe with respect to property crimes (at the least). The community has been paying and paying to address the homeless challenges, yet doesn’t see any change – I feel that we may be getting closer to a tipping point.
Ben June 15, 2022 (2:46 pm)

The “homeless” are ‘drug addicts choosing to experience homelessness’. It’s the majority, so let’s not cite the one or two other stories we might know about just so we can act like its not. It’s an important distinction to be honest about because where they’ll go after this is dictated by the availability of cheap drugs and a thriving black market and network allowing addicts to obtain their ‘medicine’ by simple theft/barter, etc. That is what Seattle as a whole has become. A black market and network of drug addicts choosing homelessness. The network to source and obtain the drugs they need is what makes an encampment grow, and sure they’ll get moved around a bit…but it’s better than keeping a ‘safe’ market place for drug exchanges and storage of stolen property. You think any of the addicts you see on bikes actually bought those bikes? Those are delivery vehicles. It’s a massive network. It needs to be constantly disrupted if we are ever going to begin to reverse the issue.
- Cozy June 15, 2022 (10:44 pm)
  
  It is not accurate that all or the majority of homeless are drug addicts or there because of drug addiction.
  
  Please read:
  
  https://crosscut.com/2019/09/seattle-addicted-bad-narratives-about-homelessness
  .
  Nobody chooses to experience homelessness.
  .
  Lives can fall apart.
  .
  Sometimes due to poor choices or mistakes, or issues such as drug abuse.
  .
  Sometimes because of life circumstances setting people up for struggles and failure.
  .
  Sometimes because of inequities and poverty and racism.
  .
  Sometimes because of trauma and mental health issues, or disabilities.
  .
  Sometimes because of impacts from a serious illness or health set back.
  .
  Sometimes because of abuse and victimizations that people experience.
  .
  Sometimes because of family issues.
  .
  Sometimes because of a life event or series of events that unravels someone’s world.
  .
  Most often, it’s some combination of some, all, or multiple experiences with these factors.
  
  The more of these factors someone has, the more vulnerable they may be, and may struggle more to find their way out of homelessness and to survive.
  
  Aren’t you fortunate, indeed, if you haven’t had many of these factors in your life.
  - Ben June 16, 2022 (2:43 am)
    
    NOBODY would mean you deny me my personal experience of knowing MULTIPLE people, including children of friends, who have chosen the nomad homeless life instead of the home with a room and some basic work requirements. People DO choose homelessness. Not all. But don’t tell me nobody.
    - Cozy June 16, 2022 (7:48 pm)
      
      I’m referring to actual homelessness. Not folks who are choosing a nomadic temporary adventure, and have the support, resources, and situation where they can easily return to safe and stable housing when they choose to.

Jill June 14, 2022 (7:47 pm)

Thank goodness! Glad this mayor is doing more to clean the city

shotinthefoot June 15, 2022 (9:38 am)

Certainly more than he did when he was president of the city council for 4 years. How anyone voted him in with that track record is beyond me.
- M June 15, 2022 (4:55 pm)
  
  Shotinthefoot….I voted for him as the alternative Gonzalez would have been significantly worse. I give this Mayor credit for trying to do something. The last 2 Mayors were a disaster and contributed significantly to this problem. This mayor isn’t hiding in his office. He is out there trying to make improvements and I appreciate it very much!

Derek June 14, 2022 (8:00 pm)

I feel so bad for the houseless community. Harrell was on council for over a decade and causes this crisis. Shame on him. Mad I even voted for him.

Gretchen June 15, 2022 (5:34 am)

When I worked as a nurse in the emergency department at Harborview, a homeless man spoke about an encampment next to the courthouse? on 4th and James. He called the encampment the Jungle where everyone is fighting to support their drug habit—typically meth I think meth more than any other drug increases homelessness and crime. People who take it generally don’t want to quit. I wonder as I pass the encampment where these people poop and pee. When it gets warm out the stench is awful. I think it is impossible to give people a leg up who do not want one .I am glad the city is finally cleaning up this dump. I do not have a solution for resettling homeless in a safe and clean place
WS resident June 15, 2022 (7:51 am)

Derek – here’s a thought. You have the ability to host one or two homeless people in your home right now. You don’t like Harrell’s plan – then get involved and do that. There are lots of people down on Andover who you could sponsor right now.That’s how you can make a difference yourself. If you are not willing to do that then you come across as someone who simply whines and complains on blogs but is unwilling to personally get involved (other than to complain) when the rubber meets the road.I look forward to hearing how it goes for you. Keep us all updated please.
- Cozy June 16, 2022 (7:53 pm)
  
  This sounds like a cool project, for home/land owners to help provide housing for homeless individuals:
  
  https://www.the-block-project.org
wscommuter June 15, 2022 (9:14 am)

Please do explain how Mayor Harrell “was on the council for over a decade and causes (sic) this crisis”. We’re all ears.
Thomas Wood June 15, 2022 (10:00 am)

So Derek once again you offer your two cents .But as usual you have no solutions!Its time these people get the message. Take the help offered!
Duh June 15, 2022 (11:04 am)

DerekAgain, you have no idea what you are talking about. He has done more in 6 months as Mayor than Durkan/City council has done over the last 4 years. They put the city where it is now and he is cleaning up the mess. You seem to have opinions on everything, but no solutions for anything you complain about. This mess on Andover is long over due to leave.

Kayo June 14, 2022 (8:09 pm)

They will just move south deeper into the neighborhood which is already what we are seeing down here. Not a long term solution. It is a mess but it is just covering up a problem and putting it in someone else’s backyard. I am all ears for real solutions. I hope some of these folks get into better housing situations.

Yes!!!!! June 14, 2022 (8:09 pm)

Hurray!!!!! Eco blocks for the win. Hopefully the entire length of Andover and around the back of the gym.

Foop June 14, 2022 (9:27 pm)

Gross, at least advocating for something to go into the space, maybe an actual continuous bike lane? Or art. But no, we’d rather have blocks of concrete than see poor people.
- wow June 15, 2022 (10:32 am)
  
  Yes: eco blocks are just as illegal as parking a vehicle over 72 hours. SDOT doing nothing about the Health Club’s press release stating eco blocks will be installed is a tacit admission that it’s easier for them to block parking access there for all (including vehicles that move within the legally allotted time) than continue to enforce 72 hours at that location. It’s a sad reflection of SDOT’s inconsistent enforcement of rules that nearby businesses feel compelled to break the law in return to protect their customers and employees.
  
  Foop: Other commenters make clear that this is a lot less about “seeing poor people” than eliminating the many crimes and safety issues associated with this encampment.
  - JEV June 16, 2022 (8:51 am)
    
    Crime, that’s what was going on. Several friends that live near the encampment had there bikes stolen, me included. My sympathy ended when my bike was stolen. You could clearly see hundreds of bikes being dismantled in the encampment. I checked for mine several times, but they put tarps up to block the view. I called police when I thought I found mine, it couldn’t be confirmed as the serial number was scratched off. Look forward to the encampment being removed.
- Ron Swanson June 15, 2022 (10:33 am)
  
  Concrete blocks rarely shoot each other over drug disputes or catch on fire, a big improvement I’d say
  - wow June 15, 2022 (12:55 pm)
    
    Lol. Totally agree. My point is that I’d prefer for existing laws to be enforced all around. If the businesses were confident SDOT would enforce 72 hours at that location going forward, they wouldn’t feel compelled to illegally install eco blocks, and the space could have some utility.

Odd son June 14, 2022 (8:21 pm)

Third time’s a charm, as the saying goes.

Courco June 14, 2022 (8:31 pm)

What about the reoccurring rvs on Trenton and 28th in West Seattle. I don’t feel safe walking to the post office anymore.

T June 15, 2022 (9:27 am)

Neither do the teens who get off work at 9/10 at night who work there. Or those with disabilities who shop Westwood (day star residents) and at more of a risk due to reduced mobility. What do you think about the block watch idea? I have two teen/young adult daughters and both have FaceTimed me while not feeling safe/being followed.

Rebecca Mills June 14, 2022 (8:35 pm)

I agree with scubafrog to a degee. But I do remain hopeful for everyone to find a solution. I have a soft heart for those struggling but unfortunately I only see this problem spreading into other areas as they just reposition. We’ve been battling with one ourselves that looks right into our house/windows blocking my view and is clearly breaking parking laws. They don’t “live” in it, as they rent close by, but they ramble in and off our property; parking on it like it’s theirs, and then let other questionable characters use the RV. So clearly falls under an abandoned vehicle per parking rules. Yet for almost two months now right off Alki – All my “Find it-fix it” reports just keep getting closed with no action. If we left our car, for even a week, you KNOW we would get a ticket and/or towed. Why are they not? I’m just baffled by the system.clearly we need better enforced laws.

wow June 15, 2022 (10:25 am)

I’m sorry to hear and hope you continue to report/escalate as needed. The city is obligated to apply the law equally for everyone, and that’s clearly not happening with the vehicle you describe (along with 26th south of Gennesse, 26th/Juneau, Harbor Ave, Marginal Place, 28th/Trenton to name a few) . I encourage you to email Sonia.Palma@seattle.gov to give your parking enforcement issue the attention it deserves.

Mike June 14, 2022 (8:37 pm)

I assume they’re moving to one of many multi million dollar hotels Dow Constantine bought with our taxes. Or maybe some of the $2.2Billlion / year we give Inslee to house, feed and provide medical and mental health treatment to those in need. Or maybe some of the untracked money we give a NBA basketball stars son to “help” the homeless.Smoke and mirrors, people, smoke and mirrors. Real lives at risk, real fraud occuring. After nearly 2 decades of this, you’d think people would catch on.

K. Davis June 14, 2022 (9:05 pm)

I’ve noticed that Harbor Avenue, which had three ongoing RV’s the last few months now has 9, as of this morning. And clearly, 2 of the long-time RV’s aren’t street legal and presumably not drivable. I suspect more will end up there following Thursday. Hoping the City will turn its attention there.

wow June 15, 2022 (10:20 am)

You can help draw attention by reporting the long-term RVs as abandoned vehicles!

Question Authority June 14, 2022 (9:08 pm)

If the RV’s just migrate to another street the 72 hour parking rule still applies so there’s that positive aspect, and less time and opportunities to stockpile garbage and random flotsam.

wow June 15, 2022 (10:19 am)

I hope SDOT Parking Enforcement will indeed apply the rule equally for everyone as outlined in city code. My other comments regarding eco blocks explain why I think they’ll do otherwise, but I hope I’m wrong.

Al June 14, 2022 (9:09 pm)

I saw a tent has already returned to the rotary viewpoint park today.

wow June 15, 2022 (7:27 am)

When there is a site like the park that has been re-populated, please go to the CSB Web Portal to fill out the Unauthorized Encampment service request form and write ‘re-populated site’ in the description field/additional details section. After completing the form you will receive a new message that the city has logged the location as a re-populated site and a message once the site has been cleared.

wow June 14, 2022 (9:11 pm)

Pretty striking that SDOT took six months after coronavirus vaccines were available to the general public to bring back the 72 hour parking rule, decided it didn’t apply to the worst offending vehicles for seven additional months without public input, and will have taken an additional month to apply the rule to one of the greatest concentrations of vehicles in violation. Allowing the health club to publicly announce the installation of eco blocks in a ROW (also illegal) is icing on the cake, and basically an admission that SDOT doesn’t have the backbone to enforce the 72 hour rule equally for everyone going forward.

Jennifer June 14, 2022 (9:27 pm)

I am so glad to hear this! I live very close and my kids can’t play outside or in the park because of the risk/filth. I’ve seen open drug dealing and likely prostitution so often there.

Lexy June 14, 2022 (9:57 pm)

Reading these comments is making me so sad. Where is the humanity here people?! You realize these are HUMANS who are forced to live in vehicles or sleep on the street? Please show some more compassion. I was so sad to see all the RV’s gone by Roxhill park because in the past I’ve been harassed there multiple times by people on drugs and they came to our rescue. I’m just hoping they come back like they did last time.

Question Authority June 14, 2022 (10:31 pm)

Honest question Lexy, where did those drug induced people come from and who sold them the drugs? You may have to possibly consider those RV’s were the source and make that part of your reality here.
- Scubafrog June 15, 2022 (4:01 pm)
  
  Because “all homeless people are junkies and criminals”. None of them can be Veterans struggling with PTSD, nor people suffering from grave mental illness. Mind, Reagan caused the homeless crisis by emptying asylums/closing them ($ for “trickle down”), which has had a damning effect on mental health to this day. Add to that the widening gulf between the wealthy and the have-nots, and it’s the perfect storm. Question Authority Indeed! Authority and the ultra rich have benefitted fiscally by the very programs that would’ve been safety nets for the homeless, the defunded VA, and those in dire need of mental health intervention. My wording in a previous post was aggressive, but I can’t imagine people cheering the downfall of the most helpless, voiceless class of citizen.
  - Echo June 15, 2022 (8:02 pm)
    
    ScubaFrog – Reagan was last president in 1989, there have been multiple administrations from both sides, as well as congress controlled by both the parties multiple times more, since then – to have reinstituted mental institutions. And, we still have mental institutions – just not in their former iteration. And, the encampments are not representative of the homeless, and you claiming they are “voiceless” is laughable. This particular encampment has voiced, flaunted, the fact they are not subject to the same rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws as the rest of the citizens living just a block away for SIX years now.
Amanda June 14, 2022 (10:31 pm)

Are you kidding me!? You must not live anywhere near this encampment. If so, you wouldn’t be asking for them to return. How on earth can you think it’s humane to have people living in these encampments? It’s absolutely not. I live by the Andover encampment and the amount of crime that goes on in front of my house is astonishing. How about you have 2+ shootings a block from your house while the police search for the gun in your bushes then come back here and tell me that you “hope they return.” Get out of here.
- StupidinSeattle June 15, 2022 (10:24 am)
  
  Spot on Amanda. I don’t even walk by the WSHC or through the nearby park, or even Uptown Espresso anymore. Common sense tells me to avoid due to risk of shootings and assaults. Clearing out this RV encampment means I don’t have to feel trapped in my house in my own neighborhood anymore.
Concerned WS citizen June 15, 2022 (12:51 am)

Lexy, they’re not forced to live in RVs. Lifestyle choices, and lifestyle desires, are why many of them are living like this. They don’t want to be subject to the system of normal society, or its costs, so they shun societal norms and choose to live the way they do. Perhaps some are truly forced by circumstances, but it’s not a majority. People want to live cheaply on the fringes of normal society. It’s unacceptable.
Observant Biker June 15, 2022 (8:31 am)

Lexy-How many people from the encampments have you invited into your home so they can take a shower or have a hot meal? It is interesting to see all these people lamenting the lack of humanity and compassion from those of us who express our frustration over the homeless encampments, yet none of them tell a tale of how they personally step in and helped someone in the encampment.
SunnyChaser June 19, 2022 (1:23 pm)

Lexy-you are right but you’re about 20 years too late. These are not your friendly resident nomads, there are people hanging on by a thread just to live another day and shoot up. I’ve worked in the public & private sector and I’ve had to deal, yes deal with these people are they will assault you, they will stab, steal and r*pe women. It’s no longer safe, I really want to sympathize but I’m all out, I can’t anymore. Please know that drugs truly run these people’s lives, one drive by the Health Club and you would see needles and the endless piles of pure trash. We all want to be accepting Seattle-ites but it’s just given us crime, robbery, a resurgence in diseases from drug use.

My two cents June 14, 2022 (10:11 pm)

Attention should be called out on the utter lack of any action by Councilmember Herbold during this time. She only jumped on this bandwagon on Andover AFTER the events – before that, it was “suck it west seattle”.

Ruby Welloffman June 14, 2022 (11:35 pm)

Homelessness affects everyone. The unhoused and housed is affected. Homelessness has become a BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY with a lot of it spent on those staffed to get homeless housed. I’M ONE OF THOSE! Homeless people don’t have good credit to pass a rental screening, don’t have the $45+ for a rental screening that ultimately FAILS the homeless population. 1000’s of homeless people have evictions against them in courthouses that can’t get past records against them to get approved. Rental applications ask for eviction history that’s an immediate barrier. Rental applications want you to earn 3’s the amount of rent to qualify. Going rent is $2,000+ in certain districts higher rents, many don’t have it with low waged jobs. 1000’s of homeless people WORK daily, still can’t afford a rental. Bills on 3 credit bureaus are outrageous against the homeless population. Many can’t afford to pay off the outstanding bills against their credit background checks. Many owe child support and can’t afford a rental plus child support. It goes against them. Many don’t have a $250.00+ holding fee or a holding deposit. Families with children live in encampments and don’t feel SAFE but no choices. Homeless prevention programs ran out of FUNDS. Majority of homeless prevention organizations only pay for ONE night motel room and don’t qualify for a WHOLE year for ONE more night at motel. Rapid rehousing programs help homeless people annually and not repeatedly. Many dishonest landlords have recycled homeless people through the rapid rehousing programs so fast with an EVICTION against them within 2-3 months and homeless again. They don’t qualify for another year for rent, deposit, and ONE night motel room. Once through and done. Homeless people with 2 jobs still can’t get a rental due to bills owed. Childcare is outrageous. Many parents with children, low waged jobs, don’t have families to turn to. Many elderly lost their homes they lived in for decades and forced out of homeownership. There are 1000’s of 1st time homeless people. 1000’s live in cars and can’t drive to work because of gas, car repairs, afraid of getting cars stolen with all their belongings, while at work. Shelters are crammed. No parking spaces for those living in cars, they’re full to capacity. Many are aging out of the State foster care system and homeless. Motels are forcing many elderly disabled people out of motels, they’ve lived in for years, now homeless outside. Many homeless people are dying outside and have passed away. Many homeless people will steal your tent, food, belongings, etc. Majority of the violence against others are from those afflicted with mental health issues without meds, routine, support, etc. Navigation center exists for those addicted to alcohol and drugs. Low barrier housing exists for them to continue using inside. Treatment is optional and many accept it, many keep on using, many addicted overdose. Homeless people are victimized into sex trafficking, forced prostitution, forced to sell drugs, get STD’S, or murdered. Majority of the NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN AND GIRLS are murdered in the area with lack of police response or deemed insignificant by local law enforcement based on RACISM. RACISM in housing exists. Many single adult women tenants have been RAPED by landlord and forcefully with an EVICTION against them, after the RAPE. Many victims flee without a fight. Entitlements and protections for landlords far exceed a RAPE victim in housing. Suicide by overdose happens frequently because they’re tired. Many were professionals in fields with degrees and master degrees but homeless. Many gave up their children because of homelessness. Local organizations get allocated MILLIONS for the homeless but only what’s left over after paying themselves FIRST. Recently corporations contributed 10+ MILLION for the homeless BUT those MILLIONS went to HIRE 45 people’s wages on how to combat homelessness. Nothing went directly to the homeless population. Mayor mentioned sanctioned encampments while sweeping encampments. Perhaps a homeless DISTRICT for the homeless population would eliminate the eyesore of the homeless population in plain sight because big corporations need to get MO’ MONEY, while escaping paying NO TAXES. HOMELESS POPULATION ARE AN ASSET FOR THE BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY OF HOMELESSNESS! Because homeless people keep on becoming homeless rapidly and they’re capitalized upon. Policies create HOMELESSNESS! If they can give LANDS for MORE big corporations, they can also allocate a HOMELESS DISTRICT FOR A HOMELESS UNION because majority of homeless people DON’T want to be HOMELESS and that includes ME.

Pessoa June 15, 2022 (7:07 am)

Yes, as the old saying goes: “Poor people are big business.” There is a vast government apparatus providing jobs for millions in the public services sector, allegedly at work solving poor people’s problems, but in reality only making sure they continue. That same government is busy at work, protecting those with assets through monetary manipulation, managing the greatest asset bubble in history. Our entire system is, in a sense, a Ponzi scheme.
GP June 15, 2022 (7:12 am)

The city has purchased several brand new apartment buildings to house the homeless, including the most recent purchase of a brand new apartment building at Green Lake. This may be the homeless district solution you are seeking. Maybe you could find out from the city what it takes to qualify to be housed there or in one of the other new buildings they purchased downtown for the same purpose. What about moving to a place with a lower cost of living? What about Section 8 housing? I know wait times can be long to get in, but have you applied? Are you on a waiting list? What about staying with family? In addition to the new apartment buildings the city has paid millions for to house the homeless, they also have tiny home villages, and have purchased several motels to house the homeless. Maybe the resources are there but the information about those resources and availability, along with qualifications, haven’t been clearly shared? Contact the city and explain your situation and ask what can specifically be done for you and your family. Sometimes there are separate resources for people aging out of the foster care system as well, which include housing, technical skills and vocation training, etc. These are separate programs run sometimes on a federal level. Do you have a case worker that can connect you with these resources? If not, ask the city. The foster care program also has adult foster care for people that qualify for ongoing care. It sounds like there may be disconnect on what is available vs what has been shared or is known about by those needing the services. Overall (not from your post) it sounds like many people refuse services and prefer to live a life of crime and drugs on the streets, hence the new bike chop shop startup, all the catalytic converter thefts, vandalism, robberies, and the list goes on and on. There have been millions of dollars spent to offer people a hand up and a better life if they want one and follow the rules for that to happen. I do hope you are connected to the right resources for you and your family. Start with asking your case worker, then the city as well. And reach out to family, if that is a possibility. Living in a place with a lower cost of living (smaller towns generally) could also help reduce your barriers to living in your own place again. Even section 8 housing waiting lists may be shorter than in the city. I hope you and your family find a comfortable and safe place soon!
Jeepney June 15, 2022 (7:20 am)

Ruby, you are correct, the homeless crisis is a multi billion dollar industry in the Seattle area. Where has all that money gone?
miws June 15, 2022 (7:48 am)

And there, in a nutshell, you have covered pretty much every fact in regards to homelessness, Ruby. Thank you, and I wish you well, and please stay safe… —Mike
Steven Lorenza June 15, 2022 (9:18 am)

I agree it’s not a good scene.But I can’t drive my car down to Malibu and demand housing because “I’m part of the community.” Most of the country away from the coasts is shockingly inexpensive. Rents can be paid with minimum wage or even farm labor. Fixer uppers are cheap. Everyone has options. Some are hard or less attractive.
- Pessoa June 15, 2022 (1:10 pm)
  
  That’s quite a dreamy fantasy you’ve come up with there, Steven. I’m waiting for the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” next.
Lisa June 15, 2022 (1:19 pm)

Ruby: I fear many/most will not bother to read what you wrote, but every word of it is true. The City of Seattle spends millions on “homelessness” but next-to-nothing on actual housing options for those who face all the obstacles you cite.

K June 15, 2022 (5:28 am)

Ruby, what do we do?

seaopgal June 15, 2022 (7:15 am)

Sending light and energy to those who will lose their homes and most of their possessions. It’s sick and bizarre that we continue to target those with the least amount of “property” to please those with the most.

SH June 15, 2022 (7:27 am)

I am certainly no expert on homelessness, its causes or any solutions. What I would like to know from those who do know, or think they know, is why is there always an incredible amount of garbage around these “camps?” As far as I can tell, being poor or homeless doesn’t mean someone has to be dirty or collect junk.

Math Teacher June 15, 2022 (12:16 pm)

@ SH – Illegal campsites attract illegal dumping. Much of the mess is opportunistic illegal dumping by people not residing in the camp. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/illegal-dumping-outside-homeless-encampments-rising-dramatically/805601197/
Amanda Richer June 15, 2022 (2:51 pm)

Where would you suggest it goes. Those with housing have garbage service (and bins, bags, etc…) to remove. The importance of public trash services was created with the knowledge that garbage is a human condition. City planning has only placed enough public canisters for a percentage of housed population with the assumption that it will be minimal as there are public services available to those with the privilege of being housed. Would you suggest they dig a landfill? Or perhaps fairies can fly it away. These people are already struggling to meet needs we have met without thought. A glass of water for example. And to pass judgement on the ability to keep going above and beyond to just survive another day.
Cozy June 15, 2022 (9:03 pm)

Lack of garbage bags/bins/service nearby.

Becoming homeless suddenly and not having storage for their belongings, so they are out there trying to hold onto all they have left. Over time their belongings get trashed outdoors in the elements and becomes the garbage around them.

Severe depression from their experience living on the streets day today. Over time, folks can become completely exhausted and feel hopeless, hard to have motivation beyond the struggle of finding food, water, bathrooms and being forced to move from place to place.

Many folks living outdoors feel quite unwell, have various health issues as a result of homelessness. Not unusual for these folks to have untreated sores, infections,.rashes, injuries, and pain.

Some have pretty severe drug addiction issues.

These are some of the reasons some homeless individuals may not be able to keep up their living areas outdoors.

Chad June 15, 2022 (8:33 am)

People…we are not talking about homelessness when we talk about sweeping encampments. We are talking about public safety, and making it harder for criminals to gather in a protected space, to strip stolen cars, stolen property, and sell drugs. The Andover encampment is an open air drug market. People drive in from outside WS(often with no license plates, presumably to use the low bridge or because the car is stolen), park in our driveway, and walk to the encampment to buy drugs. From midnight to 6am, trucks drop off stolen tools, copper pipes and wire rolls from construction sites and hundreds of bikes so 20-30 people at the encampment can work like an assembly line to deconstruct it all for sale. There are daily assaults, women getting beat up in the Health club parking lot, it never ends. We need to stop conflating encampments with the homeless crisis. Clearing encampments is a public health necessity (there are now dead rats all over Andover), and a public safety necessity. The homeless crisis is a different issue. Everyone can have empathy for homeless folks, AND at the same time ask for sweeps to break up the criminal activity. If you haven’t lived near an encampment, then you seriously have no idea what they are about.

LPM June 15, 2022 (8:47 am)

I believe I read that they would never tow an RV if there was someone in it. So…..what makes them think the owners of these RV’s won’t all be sitting in their “homes” refusing to move? I’ll believe this when I see it. Until then, I will sit back and keep reading more solutions from our leaders. Yawn.

Emmalou June 15, 2022 (8:55 am)

This is not a win if they move down the street to the Delridge Playfields. Basically moving them even closer to housing and kids playing. The park already has 4 new RVs and a tent. I’m worried what it will look like after Thursday. I would rather have them next to Nucor than the children’s playfield.

snowskier June 15, 2022 (9:11 am)

Great news. Put up those blocks and make this permanent. The bike lane sounds like a viable option to positively engage the space. Once this is clean, the city needs to head on over to Harbor, 26th and Genessee, 26th and Juneau and the Rotary overlook park to keep those areas clean too. Use the ticket and go or ticket and tow!!

ltfd June 15, 2022 (9:45 am)

Offer services AND sweep early, and often.

Pessoa June 15, 2022 (9:48 am)

But, plenty in the coffers to send another $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine to continue fighting what is a proxy war – yes, war – with Russia. What happened to concerns about imperial edicts and undeclared war? What happened to “West Seattle Neighbors for Peace?” They seemed to have vanished along with their sanctimonious rhetoric after Biden was elected.

Saul Notgoodman June 15, 2022 (11:24 am)

First of all, congratulations on getting the Moscow propaganda jig. I hope it pays well. Second, Ukrainian people are dying in tens of thousands in an imperial genocidal conquest they didn’t choose, the one that threatens to once more metastasize into another WW2-like slaughterfest, unlike the “homeless” who overwhelmingly selected their addictions, life of crime, and living like animals. If it were up to me, we’d take all the money we waste on the useless criminal underworld and send it all to the people who defend their families from lunatics with nuclear weapons.
wscommuter June 15, 2022 (11:30 am)

Interesting if ignorant rant. Setting aside your far-right fringe views of foreign affairs (you apparently view Ukraine not as an outrage and threat to European stability, but instead as what – justified? Russian fascistic expansionism is good? Or …?), it is possible to walk and chew gum at the same time. We can help fund Ukraine’s defense and still do other things, which include funding services for the drug-addicted, mentally ill and/or chronically poor who are our brothers and sisters simultaneously with funding law enforcement to … you know … enforce the law. It’s called multi-tasking.
- Pessoa June 15, 2022 (7:25 pm)
  
  This conflict has been going on since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea during the Obama administration and Russian separatists in the Donbass rose up. We are pouring gasoline on the fire by sending more military aid, and risk a protracted Vietnam-like engagement with the Ukrainian people caught in the middle and suffering the worst. This is a no-win situation.

Alki Jack June 15, 2022 (10:18 am)

Watch out Harbor Ave. SW! The entrance to West Seattle’s Alki Beach, the way most people come to see Alki. They will be lined up and down Harbor Ave making it hard on people riding bikes and just enjoying a walk. Trash will be all over the place, plus they go up trails through the bushes and go to the bathroom. Used toilet paper, urine, feces and garbage everywhere. Piles of garbage by their ragged old RV’s. Will it ever end. It’s been going on for far to long.

JI June 16, 2022 (3:41 pm)

Agree. Went for a run here today and saw more RV’s parked here. They were establishing their grounds with tarps and couches. Trash all over the trail and in the bushes. I hope the city can get a hold of this before this too gets out of control.Please, not right next to a popular family trail.

NoEasySolutions June 15, 2022 (11:09 am)

Excited for them to move around the corner and line up outside the Dragonfly Pavilion. Or down 26th next to Delridge Playfield. Putting them even closer to people’s houses.

Cozy June 15, 2022 (11:15 am)

Understandable to be concerned about crime and to want relief from the anxiety caused by seeing the RV community and some of the activities there.

However, forcing them off one street simply moves them, maybe disperses them a bit, while also adding to their life stress, and possibly even agitating those with existing frustrations and anger for being pushed around.If it’s less crime we want, I’m not sure this is the best solution.

I’m not sure what all the answers are, but I do believe a compassionate and housing first approach would be best. Meet people where they are and find ways to truly help uplift people into better circumstances, help connect people with more resources and opportunities, and then you can get rid of these conditions and actually reduce crime, not just shift it around.

Would be interested to hear more specifics on the help and options offered to the folks impacted by this remediation.Also, want to speak up for homeless folks regarding a couple of comments here.

Every person without housing has a unique and likely complex story regarding their life experiences and hardships that has led to their homelessness. Not all have family or healthy family situations. Some have had to leave abusive family relationships. Family trauma and lack of support after leaving situations can lead to homelessness.

Some homeless folks do have pets, and this can be concerning and upsetting to see. If these people are struggling to take care of themselves, how do they take care of their pets? I get it, it used to be really hard for me to see actually, until I opened my heart more to the people and learned more.

From what I’ve seen, and heard from others who work with the homeless community, is that there is a lot of love in these relationships. That many are well cared for, despite the lack of housing. That these pets may be the person’s only family, and vise versa. There is a shortage of homes for pets and many would remain in shelters or be euthanised. Keep in mind there are plenty of pet owners with houses who do not take good care of their pets, are neglectful or even abusive. Would agree there should be outreach to make sure these pets have their needs met too, alongside their people. There may be some situations that are not good for these pets, and this is concerning. But please consider, love and true companionship, may be more important than a house for many of these animals.

There are also situations where folks would appreciate temporary help with their pets, like this story:

For those who are concerned about the issue of homeless pets, maybe there are ways you could help.

Essy June 15, 2022 (11:16 am)

I hope you fall off your high horse SO RIGHTEOUSNESS you all have way to much time on your hands

Cozy June 15, 2022 (11:20 am)

Story link:

https://facinghomelessness.org/posts/2019/10/31/bigcourage

CWW June 15, 2022 (11:38 am)

As a resident on Pigeon Point, I am happy to see the clean up happen. We’ve seen a massive uptick in crime on the slope of the hill. Stolen bikes. Stolen packages. Harassment. Yesterday I watched a drug deal go down at the convenience store (just to the left of the door). Constant car door checking in the middle of the night. It seems that most of the crime is concentrated on the first few streets on the way up the hill. It sucks. A reprieve would be nice.

On My Way Out June 15, 2022 (6:41 pm)

I am not disputing that the activity you are describing could be related to the Andover encampment, but please know that these same activities happen all over Seattle, regardless of whether there is a nearby encampment. I’ve lived in West Seattle for 20 years and have changed my habits in a big way due all the things you describe becoming endemic and I have never lived near an encampment. The bottom line is that you are not going to be punished in a meaningful way for committing crimes short of murder in Seattle and people act accordingly.

Pessoa June 15, 2022 (12:15 pm)

Whether self-inflicted, or circumstances out of one’s control, one thing is clear – it is increasingly difficult, nearly impossible, these days to recover financially from homelessness. Unless you have inherited a house (like many natives here) and have no real life experience with this thing called “rent” or you have lived in a home for decades and have forgotten what it is to look for place to live, I think we all know that affordable housing is an existential crisis in this country. And it’s not just for the destitute and homeless, this is effecting a large swath of the country who are responsible, employed individuals.

Brenda D June 15, 2022 (3:45 pm)

Get them out & keep them OUT!

SunnyChaser June 19, 2022 (1:28 pm)

Yes, please!

Pigeon Point RN June 15, 2022 (3:51 pm)

Reasons people refuse to go into shelters (by an RN working at Harborview with discharge coordinating for difficult patients)

Shelters have huge bedbug issues, as well as ongoing lice, fleas, etc issues.

Shelters have issues with physical and sexual asssaults

There are extremely limited shelter spots where a heterosexual couple can remain together

There are extremely limited shelter spots where a pet come with a person

Shelters have a limited amount of storage space allotted per person– Usually a small locker.

Shelters will not allow teenage boys (~14 years and older) to stay in family shelters with women and children

In an RV/vehicle, you can close a door and have some semblance of feeling safe (more than being in an open room with dozens of other people)

In an RV/vehicle, there is more room for your personal belongings; maybe all the things you have in your life

In an RV/vehicle you can be with people you choose

Many homeless people stay in ‘the jungle’ area off I5 in a community of tents; They feel safer in a group of their friends, where they are not fending for themselves.

I do not have all the answers for what to do, but I do know that these people are not being offered all the help that many people on here seem to think they are refusing. Most will get nothing more than an offer of a cot in a shelter like the one at the Armory in Seattle Center, or a mat on the floor. These shelter spots are not guaranteed and you need to be up and out first thing in the morning, then return each evening to get in line for a shelter spot again.

I work with homeless people on a daily basis; my kids go to the daycare literally 100 yards from the encampment; I have lived in Pigeon Point for 16 years. I have a vested interest in what is going on with this encampment and I have compassion for the people who are living there. There is at least one family there with small children. Unless they get one of the extremely limited hotel vouchers for a short stay, their best offer will be for the mother and kids to stay in a women’s shelter and the father to stay somewhere else. Or, they get their RV driveable and go somewhere else for a bit, where they can be together.

miws June 15, 2022 (4:26 pm)

Thank you, Pigeon Point RN… —Mike
adamst June 15, 2022 (5:11 pm)

You make some excellent points but I live less than two blocks from the encampment and go by it several times a day and have never seen small children there. Maybe because they keep them out of sight so no one calls CPS. But with the amount of police activity there, I would think that they would be aware of if. No child should be raised in those conditions. And yes pets are wonderful things too but if having a pet is preventing you from getting the help you need, maybe that pet is better off in another situation.
hmm June 15, 2022 (5:42 pm)

Ok so continuing to allow them to congregate in an encampment and promote criminal activity is ok so long as they don’t get separated from their likely stolen belongings and family? Homeless or not, if you’re a criminal, you deserve prison not a handout, extra storage, and a place to see your kids. Not to mention raising your children in such an environment… how is that good parenting? The fact that children are involved is an even bigger reason this encampment should be shut down immediately. Glad you have compassion… maybe you can offer them a place to stay in your home? I’m sorry but I fail to see how anything you’ve mentioned has anything to do with dismantling an encampment of people participating in criminal activity. You’re missing the point.
WS Res June 15, 2022 (8:10 pm)

Thank you. I wish people would read posts like this and really internalize them, but the fantasy that “anyone could get a job if they really wanted one” and “people choose to live this way” and “they’re offered help, they just won’t take it” is too convenient.

Alki resident June 15, 2022 (7:04 pm)

This is terrific news. This situation has been going on for far too long. If these people kept their RVs in proper shape and moved them as the rules state, it wouldn’t be such an issue. Unfortunately is has turned into an unsafe situation with gun violence and overall public health risks. They may not like their options but at least they’re being given some. We’re a community and rules, taxes, etc. apply to all.