FOLLOWUP: ‘Remediation’ at 16th SW RV encampment

Parking-enforcement officers were out a short time ago at the 16th SW RV encampment, where many of the vehicles are now marked with the distinctive orange warning tags.

We had gone to check the area because a commenter on our most-recent update said City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office had told them remediation was scheduled for today, though the city’s homelessness-response spokesperson had told us only that a team was “inspecting” the area last week. No-parking signs in the area are up for today through next Monday, with “remediation” noted on the attached explanatory sheets.

This stretch of 16th SW, with South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) to the east and houses to the west, is one of the areas where the number of vehicles has increased since other RV-encampment areas in West Seattle were cleared.

TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: As we noted in a comment below, the notices that precede sweeps are posted in the area (see photo in this story), warning that personal belongings need to be gone by Thursday morning.

22 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: 'Remediation' at 16th SW RV encampment"

  • Just Leave Already October 17, 2022 (1:22 pm)

    Accept shelter or accept a bus ticket out of town.  West Seattle is done with this never-ending game of musical scumbags.

  • Jeepney October 17, 2022 (2:02 pm)

    From what I have gathered from previous RV remediation efforts, the city has the RV’s temporarily move.  The city then comes in and cleans up ecowaste, hazardous waste, human waste, trash, etc, and then the RV’s return to the same spot.  What exactly does this accomplish?

    • WSB October 17, 2022 (2:06 pm)

      They’ve all been different. That happened a few times. There were other times that what was billed as a “remediation” was actually a sweep. We’ll be checking back.

    • Kyle October 17, 2022 (2:50 pm)

      Not much. But at least it spreads the pain around so it’s not concentrated. Hoping the regional homeless network is working on a more permanent solution to housing.

  • DR October 17, 2022 (2:42 pm)

    They just pick up and move to another part of WS.   This really just moves the problem around and not solve it.

  • MyThruppence October 17, 2022 (2:59 pm)

    If these scofflaws don’t enjoy frequently moving, then they should mosey on down the highway. Sweep early, sweep often.

  • 937 October 17, 2022 (3:35 pm)

    Hopefully the RVs are gone just long enough to allow some eco block or stock tank planters to be installed

    1535 – 10/17

    • J2k October 17, 2022 (7:17 pm)

      But that is also against the law. Can’t pick and choose which laws to enforce.

  • John Smith October 17, 2022 (3:45 pm)

    I’m tired of my tax dollars being wasted on addicts/alcoholics/scofflaws in RVs. Our state legislature should pass a law that says the antiquated homestead act does not apply to RVs. Maybe a WA State Constitution amendment is needed.

    • Jethro Marx October 17, 2022 (9:08 pm)

      It never fails to amuse me when some citizens ask that laws be changed to suit them at the cost of other citizens’ rights. You do not understand the role of government in a country like America. It ain’t perfect but it’s better than many. As Rumsfeld used to say, you don’t go to war with the country you wish you had, you go to war with the country you do have.

    • M October 17, 2022 (10:17 pm)

      Me, talking about cattle ranchers.

  • Mj October 17, 2022 (5:15 pm)

    John Smith – agreed!

  • Ryan October 17, 2022 (8:13 pm)

    About damn time…  if you can’t afford SEATTLE move your RV to someplace else where it is not as expensive!

    • CAM October 17, 2022 (9:41 pm)

      Darn right! No poor allowed here! We should put up signs. Can you make them please?

  • Mj October 17, 2022 (10:18 pm)

    CAM – all most of us want to see is the SMC enforced equally, no double standard.  People living in an RV can move it every 72 hours like everyone else and keep thing’s clean.

  • flimflam October 18, 2022 (7:29 am)

    Seems it’s be a lot less expensive to not allow these encampments to settle in in the first place. Enforce the 72 hour parking laws.

  • RV space October 18, 2022 (10:06 am)

    I drive by an RV village near West seattle and the sign says it has space.  I assume RVers are aware of it, but it looks like a good option to parking on the street and getting moved regularly?

  • Spooled October 18, 2022 (3:03 pm)

    None of them have moved so far.  How long do they get after being given official notice before the wreckers come?  A further 72 hours?  Not like they don’t know what they’re doing and exactly how to game the system.

    • WSB October 18, 2022 (4:17 pm)

      Not all “remediations” are sweeps.

      • Spooled October 18, 2022 (4:23 pm)

        Even if the intent is to clean up after them and then invite them back in they still should be compliant with the no parking signs at this time, yes?  I really hope this isn’t a free cleanup like they did at Andover.  Needs to be a sweep and move along.  Three months ago when I put in several find-it-fix-it requests the only reply I got was that they’d set up some free garbage service (while I get to pay for mine like a dumbss).

  • WSB October 18, 2022 (8:18 pm)

    Update: We learned while out covering a police response in the area tonight that it’s been posted for sweeping on Thursday. See the photo of the notice on that story:
    https://westseattleblog.com/2022/10/about-the-police-response-near-16th-sw-rvs/

  • Another Neighbor October 18, 2022 (11:33 pm)

    How about Safe Lots. King County has a lot of gravel lots in and around the industrial areas. It’s not the most scenic part of the city, but people need water, sewer and garbage pickup services.  Without access to basic utilities, it’s increasingly squalid conditions for everyone. I saw someone on 16th Ave SW shoving her trash into the storm drain with a broomstick the other day. The cost could get a lot higher for all of us if we don’t try to figure this out.  It’s not good. 

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