FOLLOWUP: City crews at 26th/Juneau RV encampment

(WSB photos)

City crews, with the assistance of tow trucks, are clearing the 26th/Juneau RV encampment right now. Thanks to area resident Ryan for the tip; he’s been leading neighborhood communication imploring the city to take action. He reported that a Seattle Public Utilities rep told him at the site earlier this week that 26th/Juneau was about to be addressed and that 29th/Brandon is scheduled for action after Labor Day. Our city contact wouldn’t confirm dates – saying they’re always subject to change – but noted that “in recent days … public notices were posted in this area stating that the City’s 72-hour parking limit will be enforced, and that unauthorized encampments will be removed in the coming weeks.” Multiple city departments are on site for this, including SDOT/Parking Enforcement, which told us they expects one more RV to be removed within a few hours. Police are there too.

This follows a city assessment team’s visit to the area two weeks ago, as reported here.

48 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: City crews at 26th/Juneau RV encampment"

  • Rhonda September 2, 2022 (1:13 pm)

    Wonderful news.

  • KWest Seattle September 2, 2022 (1:19 pm)

    I can only imagine the relief of the neighbors who have had to live by this for too long. I’m glad these sweeps are happening!

    • Annie. with mint color RV September 2, 2022 (6:40 pm)

      Am gald you guys are cruel to homeless families. Your a messed up neighborhood to do this to a family. We have nothing no clothes . Food. Nothing

      • Cozy September 2, 2022 (10:34 pm)

        I’m sorry for what your  going through. Please know there are people who care. Best wishes to you.

    • Cozy September 2, 2022 (10:25 pm)

      Unfortunately the relief of sweeps often comes at the cost of more hardship for people already suffering.

      Wouldn’t it be great if the solution could provide relief to both sides?

      Recently was listening to a podcast on the matter of homelessness and they mentioned an occurrence during a sweep (not here) where a person (who was in their tent) was actually thrown into the trash.

      • Ryan September 3, 2022 (9:55 am)

        A week and a half ago we had one of the longtime RV encampment residence overdose with drugs and was found dead sitting in his chair. One block away from my house.Many opportunities offered to him by the city and his sister that owns a home and lives in West Seattle to help him get off the street. He was uninterested! This is information straight from his sister. He instead lived on our street for 2 yrs leaving garbage, making unprovoked  threats to homeowners on our street.Easy to sit in your home and pass judgment on a situation when you are not living in it.all of these people have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of if they just take the slightest bit of initiative.End of the day many of these people choose this lifestyle and choose not to abide by the rules that are supposed to govern all of us. Why should these people be special and not held accountable. 

        • Cozy September 3, 2022 (4:48 pm)

          My comment wasn’t about judging, its about concern for people who are in a vulnerable position, and sharing a different perspective, and having empathy for people in difficult circumstances, regardless of the reasons for them being there, which is most likely a combination of factors and can be complex.

          Also, don’t always believe when people say they’ve been offered help and it’s been refused. There are two sides of the story, and maybe whatever was offered (if anything was) wasn’t workable or the right help. Families sometimes can have conflicts, toxic dynamics, and even abuse situations, which are not sustainable for people to stay in.

          We may have different experiences and perspectives, and at the end of the day we may have to disagree. But we all should have a right to speak without fear of harm coming to us, for speaking up for our concerns and beliefs.

          Also have empathy for you having a stressful situation on your street. I’m not suggesting at all that these issues shouldn’t be addressed. But do have concern for the people in these situations and how they’re treated and how we handle these situations.

          • Al King September 3, 2022 (6:06 pm)

            Cozy. Empathy belongs to the VICTIMS of crime and NOT the perpetrators. We could fill the blog with stories of people with terrible childhoods or physical and/or emotional trauma/abuse who are NOT druggies/thieves/ homeless. Let’s try this with these people committing crime: ACCOUNTABILITY!

          • Ryan September 4, 2022 (7:20 am)

            Cozy what are you personally doing to make a difference? If you want to push your empathy agenda you should back it up with some skin in the game. 

      • MondVogel September 3, 2022 (2:35 pm)

        Those “people suffering” have rejected housing/shelter, typically because they are not allowed to do drugs there. Its not our (society’s) duty to support someone elses drug habits. Literally every business out there is looking for people to work

    • Derek September 3, 2022 (12:50 am)

      Rooting for sweeps? Sweeps are so inhumane I don’t even know where to begin. I’m so ashamed to have neighbors who are anti-poor.

      • Frustrated September 3, 2022 (8:23 am)

        Why is it that the people you classify as “poor” don’t have to follow the same laws and regulations that we do? 

        • Question Authority September 3, 2022 (6:22 pm)

          I’m also waiting for Derek to answer why the double standard.

      • Steve September 3, 2022 (5:19 pm)

        They are opioid encampments.Not sure what the solution is but maybe we start by naming the problem for what it is.

      • Al King September 3, 2022 (6:20 pm)

        Derek. Please tell us what YOU are doing to help these people, other than your ashamed others aren’t opening their arms and wallets. Surely you are right??

  • Ryan September 2, 2022 (1:21 pm)

    Very Thankful The 72 hour parking rule and Seattle Municipal Code Sec. 11.72.070 – 11.72.070   are laws that should be enforced not just for some citizens but all citizens.The city is digging out from a two year hiatus of managing these rules and it’s a slow process to get back on top of it. It will now take community and neighborhood efforts to help keep our open spaces clear of vehicles that try and break these rules.looking forward to the enforcement of these same rules with the illegally parked vehicles along Brandon Street and 29th next week per City leader ship.

  • Marcus September 2, 2022 (1:50 pm)

    I hope the full contingency of homeless services are being offered and transitional housing is available.  With all the money spent on homeless that is expected.  Tough love is always difficult to provide and accept.  With that said, good job city.  Time to put and end to these encampments.  A compassionate society is not showing compassion by allowing people to live this way.

  • MM September 2, 2022 (4:31 pm)

    Great job Mayor Harrell!!! Keep it going!  It’s nice we are getting our Emerald city back bit by bit. Thank you!

  • NotWoke September 2, 2022 (5:25 pm)

    Absolutely the right move. Just how far does WS have to sink before people wake up? Protesting this necessary and long overdue work is insane. Continuing to proclaim ‘compassion’ while our neighborhoods decay is beyond ridiculous. Move these people along and continue doing so until they do not return to makeshift camps. These are not starving families. These are people that have chosen to give up on the rules of society.

  • Annie. with mint color RV September 2, 2022 (6:47 pm)

    No service were addressed and we never got a notification about 72 to move or we would of. Now we have two dogs looking for work husband. And mentally disabled 10 year old boy. And disabled Mother doing komo therapy. That have lost everything for their toothbrush to there car. Home. Everything. May I ask how  deserve this

    • 1994 September 2, 2022 (8:38 pm)

      Rules are rules. If the mint colored RV is operational, why not have driven it elsewhere? The social safety net will put you up in a hotel – we are paying for it.

    • Marina September 2, 2022 (8:48 pm)

      Annie, if you just arrived to 26 and Juneau, I totally sympathize and they shouldn’t have towed you. Otherwise, it’s the good ol 72 hour rule and, as Ryan mentioned, Seattle Municipal Code 11.72.070. 

      • Jacob Butts September 4, 2022 (8:01 am)

        I just got ran over broke my leg lost part of an ear by one yours a pharmacist driving a Benz suv towing a car trailer on purpose I went out to see if one of you was OK would you of done the same for me I doubt it. While I was in harbor view you come try to tow my home with my sick stage 3 sick gf and my cars took my Toyota I had to check myself out early I’ll never look the same or walk the same if that’s what makes you happy as a community then your garbage all of you I never had stolen cars recovered from my house I never stold anything I actually watched out for the people around me people on the corner your house more than once and I appreciate you doing the same when my gfs generator got stolen but the rest of you should be ashamed .

    • Ryan September 2, 2022 (9:06 pm)

      I personally spoke to parking enforcement and the unified care team they definitely did outreach and informed you of the 72 hour rule. Making up false claims to try and mislead people to get sympathy is wrong. Also there is such a thing as taking responsibility for your own actions, you know what you’re doing is illegal it has been a front page topic for years.

    • Sorry not sorry September 2, 2022 (9:43 pm)

      You shouldn’t be driving an RV if you don’t know the rules of the road. Notices are a courtesy. Rules are rules. 72 hours! If you don’t like them, go live in another city. We pay taxes for OUR neighborhood. You do not. We don’t deserve to have your RV camped outside our home. 

      • Derek September 3, 2022 (12:53 am)

        Your wild rant aside, how do you know they don’t pay taxes? This is just more anti-poor discrimination. Classism. 

        • Really? September 3, 2022 (10:42 am)

          Derek. What are you even talking about? People pay ridiculously high property taxes on the homes in their neighborhood. Then these scofflaws come in and trash the neighborhood, living off grid and not paying for rent or property taxes. Stop whinging. Everyone should be held accountable to follow the rules in a society. Anarchy is not an option just because you don’t want to follow the rules. It’s that simple.

        • Ormsbygrey September 3, 2022 (12:18 pm)

          Of course their paying taxes they probably get more back than you!

        • Question Authority September 3, 2022 (6:36 pm)

          They certainly don’t pay land property taxes and the associated RTA fees, Levy’s etc.  Is their RV home insured, licensed and paying for sewer and garbage services?  Nobody’s picking on the poor, what’s the issue is squatting and not following rules.  With the resources and abundance of help available it comes down to personal choices and everyone knows that.

  • Susan September 2, 2022 (6:48 pm)

    The 2nd RV drove 20′ from the dead end and parked on 26th North of Juneau…less than a full block. 3 other vehicles are with it. We are glad the dead end is cleared but the 72 hour clock just started again and we hope it wont take another 2 years…this block needs a break, but doubtful they’ll get one for a while.

  • Ryan September 2, 2022 (9:11 pm)

    I suggest that as a neighborhood you put together a letter that informs these RV owners that the community would like to see RV owners respect the laws that are supposed to govern all of us and respect the neighborhood that they are trying to move into and not overstay the 72 hour rule. Minimum of six people hand-deliver it to the RV owner.After three days if they haven’t left hand deliver another one reminding them that they are now in violation.leave it on the windshield if needed we need to assist until the city has things back under control

  • Hhh September 2, 2022 (10:27 pm)

    I’m glad to see public space being reclaimed from people that were using it as private. We live in a community and should respect the rules, from use of public space to everything else. Used to run around this area and stopped because my right as a neighbor of this community was taken from people using this public area. Glad I will be able to use again. Thanks to Ryan and all others that did not stop to protect our rights.

  • JustJedSaid September 3, 2022 (6:10 am)

    I wonder how many people crying about the inhumanity of these sweeps actually live near one and have to walk around a dangerous shanty villages each day? Do they have children that bike and play near one? Do they volunteer their time and donate money to assist these people? I truly wonder?

  • Amanda Richer September 3, 2022 (12:52 pm)

    King County Regional Homelessness Authority National Homelessness Law Center National Alliance to End Homelessness National Coalition for the Homeless U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
    I have given many speeches and talks about the effects of forcible displacement but yesterday could not prepare me for what took place. The same worker, Bradley from “HOPE” team in Seattle also came with police to tear apart our lives when I had zero choice but to live under a bridge in Seattle. Seeing him commit another atrocity in the name of “supportive services” hit my soul. The officers scanning my vehicle and taking pictures lend to the understanding that they will retaliate. Last night I could not escape the nightmares. The visible shaking could not stop and the sense of fear isn’t going away. How is this ok? This is the truth of encampment removal and Law enforcement. Noone deserves this treatment. #seattle #humanity #cptsd #sweeps #humanrightsviolations #dobetter #advocacy #lawenforcementI have video of the entire incident and part of it is posted on YT. I can also provide video not uploaded.https://youtu.be/zjLcupOFuo0

    • MondVogel September 3, 2022 (3:55 pm)

      If you would put an ounce of initiative you put into this missleading post into getting a job, you would not be in this situation. Also, there is plenty of opportunities available offered by the city. People being sweeped are the ones who refused shelter 

    • nwpolitico September 3, 2022 (4:16 pm)

      Not sure why so many organizations are mentioned at the top here. In any case, I’m very sorry to hear about your lack of well being at the moment. That said, disagreeing with what happened is not an excuse for using massive hyperbole to describe yesterday’s encampment removal. Outreach workers from HOPE do nothing to “tear apart” or “commit another atrocity.” Further, it is unreasonable to associate police taking pictures of a vehicle belonging to someone obstructing an encampment removal as cause for retaliation.

      Nobody is forced to live in Seattle, nor under a bridge or anywhere on public property. Choosing to live on the streets does not grant people a magic immunity shield from laws that apply to everyone. Again, I’m sorry to hear that you’re unwell, however, I encourage you to consider that no one deserves to live next to an unauthorized drug encampment and that the concerns of neighbors have the same validity as your feelings, even though you disagree.

    • flimflam September 3, 2022 (4:18 pm)

      Only choice is to live under a bridge? I’m not sure I understand.

      • Cozy September 3, 2022 (5:14 pm)

        What I’m hearing is that the person is homeless, and has no where else to go that is accessible, sustainable, or feels safe. Staying under a bridge feels like their only or best option, and they’ve been forceably removed from this place they’ve found as a place to be, and that there are trauma impacts as a result of this experience.

        How can we expect people being forced from place to place, lacking in resources experiencing trauma (which had mental and physical symptoms) and possibly drug addictions which may require treatment to simply take initiative, improve their circumstances, and be working? We’re talking about people who are likely struggling with basic needs, may not even have regular access to shower, etc.

        • OneTimeCharley September 3, 2022 (8:11 pm)

          What I heard was a homeless person not getting to continue illegal behavior on public property and how it gave him/her/they anxiety. This is the way the laws have always worked in Seattle, before the pandemic changed everything temporarily. That grace period is now over and we are all telling you that the city is going back to the way it has always been, in order to provide equity to all; that is why we have the 72 hour rule to begin with. If you don’t like the 72 hour rule being enforced now, then accept the help that is offered in order to stop living in an RV on public property, or find a place down the highway were you don’t disagree with the laws and can live happily ever after.

          • Cozy September 6, 2022 (7:40 am)

            When homeless folks have no safe place to go, how can we criminalize them being in public places, and then minimize their experience as ‘anxiety’ for their ‘criminal’ behavior of parking/camping/existing in inappropriate places?Some people paint these folks as people who have other options and are simply choosing to live for free in miserable conditions at others inconvenience and expense for the fun of it. Like they’re having a great time out there. That’s not the situation for most of these folks. They are trying to survive and probably trying to make the best of whatever circumstances and trauma their struggling in. Just as you would, if you had to walk in their shoes.

        • WestSeattle September 5, 2022 (11:52 am)

          Cozy “possibly” addiction issues? Stop it. Garenteed addiction issues. That is the problem. These peoples Brains do not work properly because of heroin, fentanyl and amphetamines. 95%+ of people on the streets here are drug addicts that can’t help themselves much less have the mental capacity to accept help. Why are they struggling with basic needs like food, showers, shelter and cloths? Because they are only focused on getting high at any cost to you or themselves. Don’t be a fool to look PC on the blog and don’t say pointless things that don’t help these poor unhoused neglected people who “don’t have a chance” let them camp in your yard and use your bathroom for showers. Maybe my property and vehicles will be spared if you offer them the help they need and they live with you instead of on the dead end by my house 

          • Cozy September 8, 2022 (9:44 am)

            Agree that drugs and addiction is a serious issue and has overlap with homelessness. However, your statement that the majority of homeless are drug addicts and statistic is inaccurate. And, important to note, drug addiction is not the main cause for the majority becoming homeless.

            https://www.uwkc.org/news/are-all-homeless-people-drug-addicts/

  • Ryan September 3, 2022 (4:18 pm)

    Amanda, encampments are illegal!! Put your energy into trying to improve your situation and not on complaining about how your illegal activity should Garner the sympathy of the community you impact.

  • K September 3, 2022 (8:20 pm)

    You can always tell when they’re sweeping an encampment on the peninsula because you see more RVs show up in other places.  These sweeps are just throwing taxpayer money at people’s feelings without doing anything to resolve the underlying issues.  Sweep them from one area, they show up at another.  Sweep them from there, they go to a third.  Sweep from another, they’re back to the first area.  What went wrong in so many peoples lives that they are willing to throw any amount of taxpayer money at shaming, inconveniencing, and jailing homeless people, but not want to spend any money actually housing them?

    • Ryan September 4, 2022 (7:35 am)

      They are buying hotel/motels, building free tiny homes, looking for safe lots right now… tax payer dollars for all that…? Perhaps you are confused 

  • Jacob September 4, 2022 (5:02 am)

    I’m the other RV not the pukes in the mint green one the one where no stolen cars where recovered the one with a reallive gf sick with cancer I’m the guy got ran over by one of u a pharmacist lives in your neighborhood ran me over when I came out to check on the welfare of one of you ran me over with his SUV and loaded car trailer I’ll never look the same or walk the same busted my leg lost part of my ear because I thought one of you could be hurt who cared when I got hit just a homeless I keep my s–t clean don’t steal look out for y’all s stuff hoping y’all would look out for mine. But I’m still in Harbor view you punks take my car from my sick gf tried to take everything..im losing hope in this do unto others……

  • anonyme September 4, 2022 (4:48 pm)

    My take is that sweeps are not only just and necessary, but they work – eventually.  At first, the RVs just pop up at new locations.  But if the sweeps are persistent and regular, those who are truly needy will accept services, and those who are not – the ones that cause problems – will either move on or find a different venue for their illegal activity.

  • Roundthesound September 9, 2022 (2:15 pm)

    If you are living in an RV are you still considered homeless? All you belongings, clothing, and shelter taken away by some neighborhood coalition that  spews the same rhetoric over and over, homeless=drugs=lazy=refuses help. You’ve already placed judgement on these families and so has much of society so imagine being in a situation where your entire life was just towed away and you have to find work with no place to sleep, no shower, no clothes, hopefully you were able to get your important papers and phone before it was towed but then if you get a job where do you keep all your stuff? It’s overwhelming and to thrust people into this position over and over is traumatising. I’m sure you live on a very nice street you don’t want littered with garbage and such so before you got the pitchforks out did you and the block watch offer trash receptacles or maybe a ride to the tool library to get those RVs fixed? Having their RVs towed and tents removed doesn’t mean these people are going to stop being your neighbors. You seem to have this “life” thing all figured out and you complained enough that the city took action; so I’m confused by the crass comments. Just like the RVs that have showed up since they were cleared last week, they’ll keep coming because there is no where else for them to go. We need colorful people in our neighborhood, the same people that have lived here their whole lives, and deserve to be treated with dignity, and allowed to make their own choices. Folks living in an RV are trying to stay out of the system and remain independent but sounds like their property gets stolen, they get run over by jerks driving SUVs, and their vehicles break down just like the rest of us. The gentrification mafia has its work cut out because you can pick your neighborhood but you can’t always pick your neighbors.

Sorry, comment time is over.