ENCAMPMENTS: Another sweep planned for Harbor Avenue RVs, city rep tells Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council

(WSB file photo)

Though the stolen-car-magnet encampment by the 1st Avenue South Bridge was the central topic of tonight’s Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting, another encampment is the subject of our first headline from the meeting: City rep Tom Van Bronkhorst told the group that the Harbor Avenue RV encampment is scheduled to be swept again “at the end of this month.” RVs that don’t voluntarily move will be towed, he said. That’s unless there’s evidence someone is living there, added Operations Lt. Dorothy Kim, although she said outreach workers believe that several of the Harbor RVs are NOT being used as homes and may even have the same owner. Leading up to the sweep, Van Bronkhorst said, SDOT is going to the area for “debris removal” weekly. Lt. Kim noted that people with houses and businesses in the area need to be aware that when the sweep happens, the area will be posted as “no parking” for a few weeks. So how will they keep the RVs from returning again this time? Lt. Kim said police, including Parking Enforcement Officers, plan to be “diligent” about enforcement. What about more-permanent action like an RPZ, as has been suggested? That’s all still being discussed.

As for the 1st Avenue South encampment and other topics addressed tonight – we’ll have a separate full report on that, including video of the meeting, Friday morning.

Rhonda February 16, 2023 (11:46 pm)

This is so L O N G overdue that it almost seems inconsequential at this point.

anonyme February 17, 2023 (5:58 am)

Oh, so now they plan to be “diligent” about enforcement? Why not before? Now that homesteading laws have apparently been reinstated, I’ve got a few nice viewpoints picked out in public parks to set up my yurt. It’ll save me a lot of money, especially once my weed business gets going.

Admyrl Byrd February 19, 2023 (8:36 pm)

Until your weed business gets held up because the Feds won’t let them into the banking system despite it being legal in the state. Then you’ll be stashing pallets with the rest of them.

Frustrated February 17, 2023 (6:58 am)

I ride by there on my commute to work. Every morning there seems to be one or two new bicycles strewn on the ground, missing tires or seatposts or chains. Some of them worth a lot of money ($1000+). Wonder where all those bikes come from?

Carson February 17, 2023 (10:17 am)

EVERY SINGLE TIME I run by there in the early morning hours there are people taking apart bikes and catalytic converter’s. I used to call 911 but they basically told me not to bother them. I just shake my head and run a little faster through the area.
- hhhh February 17, 2023 (11:35 am)
  
  I stopped running and/or walking along that path. Used to love using it, especially as it opened up to the sound.
  - Lisa February 17, 2023 (6:25 pm)
    
    Me three. No more running or biking on Harbor Ave.
Auntie February 17, 2023 (5:52 pm)

Probably the same place that the “TOOL SALE” guy gets his tools – the shed in your back yard. You cannot convince me that all those tools were obtained legally (why? how?) and the same for those very expensive bikes. Some of the residents of these RV villages are just thieves, plain and simple.

Pat Eskenazi February 17, 2023 (11:14 am)

So you are really going to clean up Harbor? After all the neighborhood waited patiently for this to happen since last summer. The Find it Fix it app doesn’t seem to bring any results. We are fed up with the city response to our constant attempt to help you solve this problem. Put in concrete barriers, enforce the no parking rules. There are plenty of rules for the tax paying citizen’s. We are ticketed and required to get our personal cars from the towing yard at our expense. Sure, I feel sorry for individual down on their luck. There is one neatly parked RV. This lady takes care not to litter.And by the way, put parking by permit only on the westside of Harbor. It’s zoned residential. It works all over the city. Capitol Hill has more apts and condos than we have and they are all permit parking with time limits for vehicles parked along their strip. Do something about this problem and don’t let it come back in one week.

sgs February 17, 2023 (12:29 pm)

Do not expect a parking enforcement officer in a tiny cart to have any impact on an encampment. That is way above pay grade.

alki_2008 February 17, 2023 (1:21 pm)

Parking on Harbor shouldn’t be completely restricted to residents, but put a time limit like no parking after 11pm or 2am unless a resident. That stretch would sometimes have people parking to get out their bikes or rollerblades, and those people shouldn’t be restricted from enjoying the Alki Trail. That’s what the trail is for.

Those RV’s is are a complete mess and are a health hazard. If they don’t have functional black tanks that are being used as intended, then they should be towed regardless of whether someone’s living in it or not. The “unless there’s evidence someone is living there” stipulation sounds like not much will change. Will the trailer that’s loaded with stacks of pallets be towed if it’s connected to an RV that looks to be lived in?

Derek February 17, 2023 (4:01 pm)

“Unless a resident” is just blatant disregard for the houseless community and those unable to afford a home.

Compassionate Neighbor February 17, 2023 (5:00 pm)

I have compassion for homeless people, really for everyone. What I don’t understand is to what extent “outreach” is offered to someone intentionally breaking the law? How many other Citizens must suffer financially, emotionally and physically because there are no repercussions for the actions of a few? Laws were enacted to protect the vulnerable, but have put others at serious risk. Hopefully some real change in Seattle City Counsel can help everyone. Our Police and Firemen need enforceable laws, to be fully funded, educated, trained in diversity, supported and appreciated. I appreciate the folks reaching out to our vulnerable population, but they need to be accountable for progress, for programs that actually get people the help they need, not a “hall pass” to be excused from the crimes committed. The situation is intolerable.

K February 17, 2023 (5:20 pm)

Well, if you’re talking about the white collar crimes (wage theft, fraud, embezzlement) that make up the vast, vast majority of property theft annually (by percentage) then you’re right, very little is done to make them accountable. Those criminals often serve little to no jail time or get fines well below the amount they gained through their criminal acts. It would be great if people paid half as much attention to the brazen lawlessness of people in suits as they do people in RVs. At least we’re being equitable if we also ignore crimes committed by poor people.

Anders February 17, 2023 (6:22 pm)

Yes, the situation is intolerable – but it’s also wildly complex and all the deep threads in our society are all connected to how we are seeing the problem(s) manifesting in WS (as it is all over America right now.) So Q is – exactly what to do about it? Answer(s) equally complex and complex things are exceptionally difficult to implement. If there was an easy answer, would already be done, no? Otherwise, while I’m sure no offense was intended, the word “firemen” has been replaced by “firefighter”, which is a preferred, more respectful and inclusive term. Still say “firemen” myself sometimes. Old habit, but working on it!

J February 17, 2023 (9:56 pm)

If you’d put a few elementary teachers in charge of this problem, they’d know what to do. These RV people are breaking rules and misbehaving. Like children, they need to be told: you can choose this, or that. None of the options are to live in squalor on the street, or engaging in illegal activities. And be consistent. Once cleared and cleaned, no overnight parking allowed ever. Please stop enabling these folks. It’s not good for them or anyone. This should be policy for the entire city. I ride a bike by these nasty sites regularly and have seen young girls in hot pants, people clearly buying or doing drugs, and yes the stolen bikes torn apart to sell for parts. These are crime scenes with criminals, and how many people have been too afraid to simply go for a walk on these lovely trails? I always ride quickly by as it feels dangerous. It’s time to claim these places again for the majority .

Runner February 18, 2023 (7:48 am)

Agree totally with J. Just because you are homeless doesn’t mean all of the rules of society stop applying to you. You still have to make choices, including those that the laws require or pay the price. They should be given the choice to move to a city provided lot with services to help them get back on their feet or leave the city. No grey area about it. In my humble opinion enabling people to live in squalor is not compassion.

J February 19, 2023 (11:55 am)

Better said Runner. City provided lot with services a good idea. I’d add with 2-3 24hr staff on site at all times.

Paul W February 18, 2023 (8:22 pm)

QUESTION: How long can elected officials ignore the wishes of voters, and still keep their job? How long will voters keep electing the same people/party and expect different results?

K February 19, 2023 (2:29 pm)

Voters here care a lot more about what politicians say than what they do. See: electing Bruce Harrell because he said he would check the out-of-control city council while ignoring that he was PART of that same council for 12 years and helped enact the same policies he maligned in his campaign. See also: the hate Lisa Herbold gets for defunding the police despite not actually defunding the police. In Seattle, words speak louder than actions.

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