WEST SEATTLE ENCAMPMENTS: One ‘resolved’ today, one being monitored

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Two notes about West Seattle encampments:

BEHIND HOME DEPOT: A texter reported that it looked like city crews were engaged in a cleanup at this encampment today, and on behalf of the Unified Care Team, city spokesperson Callie Craighead confirms it:

The area behind the Home Depot on Delridge was resolved today with tents and debris cleared. Over the last several months our contracted outreach partners have been engaging with the individuals residing at this encampment and at the time of resolution, 4 out of 5 offers of shelter were accepted.

This encampment has had multiple fire responses, including a big one this past spring.

SCHMITZ PRESERVE PARK: Multiple readers have reported an encampment inside Schmitz Preserve Park (one of whom sent the photo above), and wondered what the city plans to do about it. Nothing yet, Craighead told us:

UCT is actively monitoring the reported encampment at Schmitz Preserve Park. UCT uses an objective prioritization matrix based on health, safety, and accessibility hazards and shelter availability. Based on the current size and impact of this encampment, it is not scheduled for resolution at this time. We will continue to monitor the area and asses the site for resolution based on changing conditions and the availability of resources.

Tim November 13, 2024 (5:26 pm)

I noticed r.v. encampment by Me kwa mook park this last week

Gatewood resident November 13, 2024 (5:42 pm)

These are public spaces and probably have no camping rules. It is beyond me why the city would allow these encampments to persist. Is this the policy that everyone actually wants?

momosmom November 13, 2024 (6:16 pm)

Well I don’t know maybe you should ask the City of Burien

And come on campers its cold and wet outside please take the help offered!
Derek November 14, 2024 (4:57 pm)

Is this serious? Do you have 350k for them to purchase a condo?
- West Seattlite November 14, 2024 (8:01 pm)
  
  There are a lot of options between living on the street and 350K condo. There is low income housing, group housing, rentals, and areas of the city (and country) that are more affordable. People don’t have a right to live on the street just because they can’t afford a condo

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy November 13, 2024 (5:59 pm)

Have an encampment out front of my apartment building if you want BUT SERIOUSLY please not in Schmitz!

Paul November 13, 2024 (6:00 pm)

Out of curiosity when they say they monitor a campsite what is the process for this? Do they drive by daily or rely on public input.

Seattlite November 13, 2024 (6:18 pm)

Today in the am, I noticed a huge, dilapidated RV and a beater truck parked on Trenton west of the entrance into Westwood Village. I hope SPD keeps this area clear due to so many high school students walking to and from Sealth HS, the daycare center located in WW Village.

Teacher November 13, 2024 (11:11 pm)

And the fact that they just cleaned up that site in late September!

RT November 13, 2024 (6:26 pm)

Terrible idea to ignore this, as a small start of two tents will lead to expansion. Better to offer assistance and relocation asap and continue to monitor this park.

momosmom November 13, 2024 (6:43 pm)

Someone a few weeks ago posted about this camp in Schmitz Preserve site on a different website and back then it was only 1 tent and a commenter said this person has been there a good 5 years??? Truth I have no idea???
- Dad November 13, 2024 (9:12 pm)
  
  I walk here regularly, there were no tents here before. I have compassion for people without a place to go, but this isn’t the place. The illegal camping equipment needs to be removed immediately. If the campers accept offers of shelter from UTC, that’s great.
  - Bbron November 14, 2024 (12:15 pm)
    
    worded differently: “I have compassion for people without a place to go, unless I have to see it myself” 🙄

David von Wolffersdorff November 13, 2024 (6:33 pm)

This is absolutely absurd! Monitor it?! Give me a break! These illegal encampments should be shut down as soon as they crop up. Letting them stay for any period of time just lets them get more established and makes it harder to eventually remove them. I am very disappointed in the city of Seattle.

Derp November 13, 2024 (7:03 pm)

They monitor the site so they can contact the PEOPLE that don’t have housing. Talk to them and offer services and housing. They continue to talk to them, try to get them the help they need. But hey, as a community there needs to be more compassion, these are human beings that are down out and it trying to figure things out. Have any of you complainers actually gone to a site and offer food and clothing. Too actually try and help them, instead of constantly degrading them. It can happen to just about anyone a at anytime.
- Db November 13, 2024 (7:45 pm)
  
  I’m happy to help these folks get into housing but can’t support camping on public property. Small and large encampments are public health and safety issues that should be removed for the greater good
  - Derp November 14, 2024 (7:25 am)
    
    The part you said about public lands. They are for everyone. Again, compassion people.
    - wscommuter November 14, 2024 (9:21 am)
      
      You raise a valid point about compassion for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Could you please explain what we should do when those folks refuse the assistance offered them? Does your definition of compassion mean allow unfettered camping in public spaces? I would appreciate you clarifying.
    - Bbron November 14, 2024 (12:13 pm)
      
      @WSCommuter there’s an assumption baked in to your questions: that folks who refuse help now will continue to do so in the future. the whole alternative to moving people by force, potentially jailing them, is for groups like UCT to build relationships and keep engaging with homeless folks. so yeah, for the time being we should let tents stay because in the end it doesn’t help them and only serves to inflame a root cause of homelessness. plus, as they’re quoted saying, shelter availability is a factor. what would you want to see happen to those that are camping if there’s no where for them to go?
    - Dr Wu November 15, 2024 (9:52 am)
      
      We are killing people with compassion.
    - Dr Wu November 15, 2024 (9:53 am)
      
      We are killing homeless people with compassion.
Luke November 13, 2024 (7:08 pm)

Agreed ☝️
alkiannie November 13, 2024 (7:12 pm)

What is your strategy for getting these folks off the streets, David?

West Seattle Lite November 13, 2024 (6:57 pm)

I noticed this tent in Schmitz Park yesterday and then two minutes later, witnessed a minor tagging the concrete bridge support. This was around 11:30 am. It took me so off guard that I was speechless and walked right by without saying anything and now feel guilty for being lame and not speaking up. In my 26 years of walking through Schmitz Park at least a few times a month, this was the first time I’d seen anything like this. I’ll be making calls/emails to whoever so that this doesn’t become a regular thing there.

Al November 13, 2024 (7:06 pm)

Hot take: liberal coddling of issues like this, where there is near universal agreement that laws should be firmly enforced, is exactly the sort of weakness that led Trump to win the election.

Darren November 13, 2024 (7:49 pm)

Trump has a plan to withhold Federal funding for roads if we continue to be a sanctuary city. So we’re all going to suffer because the city leaders think it’s a good idea to ignore the law. Trump has a plan for homelessness too. I suspect we will suffer loss of funds or some other punishment because Seattle won’t want to listen to Trump and continue with the Seattle way to address homelessness that hasn’t worked for years despite all of the money thrown at it.
- Anony November 14, 2024 (3:05 am)
  
  “Concepts of a plan” If he fixes it, then great. If not, you were a sucker for believing him. No take backs.
Pay up November 13, 2024 (9:32 pm)

Seattle went bluer than 2020. So clearly people are happy with the policies. In any case, Seattle doesn’t have an endless supply of money or staff. I’m sure they’d be happy to raise our taxes more but I for one expect them to triage, monitor and systematically remove encampments within a reasonable time frame (which isn’t a few days) unless you’re offering to pay in which case sweep away.
Jason November 14, 2024 (1:00 pm)

Conservative fascist “jail or else” which becomes “slavery for private prisons” is proven to work now? We have what, 200 years of this crap where we throw the poor in jail for making society too hard to live in… Geeze, hasn’t worked!!! Do I need to show you the strict jailing Reagan did failing and creating a miserable fascist society no one wanted again?

MacJ November 13, 2024 (7:47 pm)

As long as the mayor and council continue to not take the housing crisis seriously this will continue to happen.

onion November 13, 2024 (8:26 pm)

The Schmitz Park encampment is directly adjacent to an area where children frequently play along the stream. Not an acceptable camping spot.

Burgerman November 14, 2024 (12:45 am)

Have you contacted authorities about this?
Al November 14, 2024 (11:37 am)

Ya, it’s a big park with lots of off-trail locations one could hide a tent. These campers chose probably THE most central spot, where the main trails converge on a stream that children play in (played in) constantly. Maybe there is some room for us to look the other way about discrete camping, but this one is blatantly using a central and highly visible spot. Based on the city’s response, that’s apparently fine to do. Perhaps the solution is to eliminate the sense of unfairness we are all feeling by simply removing the inaccurate signage at the entrance to the park saying camping is forbidden?
Derek November 14, 2024 (4:54 pm)

Trump’s cabinet and AG selection are more of a threat to children than any tent in Seattle
- Kathy Bates November 14, 2024 (7:01 pm)
  
  Enabling does not help people it allows them to remain sick and puts them at risk of death. Consequences are what usually get drug addicts clean. Setting boundaries and the consequences that come with them are helping the addicted homeless. What Seattle is doing now doesn’t help them at all. It enables them to be sick even longer. It’s flat out disgusting the policies of this city. Anyone who has ever had someone in their family that has a major drug addiction has learned that at some point, you have to have compassion but severe consequences to encourage someone to get well.

Concerned November 13, 2024 (9:35 pm)

I’m concerned because of how isolated Schmitz Park is. I sometimes bring my toddler here to stretch but second guessing now. Who would be the correct person to contact with concerns on this?

KT November 14, 2024 (1:27 am)

I’m saddened to hear the lackadaisical approach to such a treasure in our community. I have to imagine humans living in an environment where we aren’t supposed to be will have an impact on the flora and fauna, if it hasn’t already. This seems so counterintuitive to Seattle’s values…@concerned, I too hope WSB posts how and who to contact. In the meantime, I found these resources:https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/one-seattle-initiatives/unified-care-team

Callie Craighead is the Press Secretary for Mayor Harrell and given the information she shared in this post, she could be a resource. Rather than copy/paste her contact information, you can see it via the linked (unrelated) article below:https://deal.town/city-of-seattle/tomorrow-mayor-harrell-to-release-the-citys-first-ever-food-action-plan-update-FKYYP5SML2T

Fiddlesticks November 13, 2024 (9:38 pm)

People are seeking shelter as we enter the cold, windy, rainy and extra lonely holiday season. Big whoop. Let them have a place to go home to. Let them have neighbors. Safety in numbers is how we survive.

Okay November 13, 2024 (11:54 pm)

Let me check my notes…yep, they can find all that stuff at a shelter.
- Jason November 14, 2024 (12:10 pm)
  
  You must not know how strict and limited shelters are… can’t even stay at the one in West Seattle very long.
- Fiddlesticks November 14, 2024 (2:36 pm)
  
  Shelters are great for some people. If had to choose between tent and shelter I’d choose tent everytime. Besides not much community in shelters. In at 6pm out by 6am for most.
  - momosmom November 14, 2024 (5:43 pm)
    
    6pm to 6am…sort of sounds like normal responsibilities, clean house, cook dinner, homework, get kids ready for bed, then get up and out to work and school we go.
Luke November 14, 2024 (6:30 am)

Not in our parks
- Derek November 14, 2024 (4:53 pm)
  
  Was this person harming you?
  - Luke November 14, 2024 (6:32 pm)
    
    Derek I see your comments often and disagree with you on most accounts. As a parent who has brought my child to this park for years I don’t think it’s acceptable to have a campsite in the middle of it. We need to give up the narrative that the people camping in our parks and setting our green spaces on fire are just “down on their luck.” We have all witnessed how 2 tents become 10 until the trash and biohazard waste is so out of control that we get to foot the bill for the cleanup effort.
    - Derek November 15, 2024 (11:57 am)
      
      So the answer is no. Thanks. Concern trolling side effects of a random houseless situation is counter productive. Fix poverty FULLY or don’t complain when you see it.

Helvetica Neue November 14, 2024 (1:59 am)

We walk in Schmitz nearly daily, this encampment is about two months old and its not acceptable. It’s clear that in Seattle where there is one camper there will soon be more. Saka’s office needs to advocate for our natural spaces to remain free of people who set up permanent housing because they feel like it. I cannot believe after everything Seattle has been through people are on here telling the rest of us to have compassion. No. Protect our parks, our ability to recreate. Protect the majority’s right to clean spaces.

Frog November 14, 2024 (7:22 pm)

Agree — this is the definition of Seattle Stupid ™. Let a problem get large and expensive before addressing it.

Penpal November 14, 2024 (2:12 am)

Everyone needs to know about the “fix it find it “ apt. The city has were you can report this and many other city problems it works for me most of the time.

sbp November 14, 2024 (4:47 pm)

The Find It, Fix it app is a great resource. I was so frustrated watching a growing encampment (very obvious drug dealing), on the pathway next to the bus stop across from Target/Westwood Village. I reported it on the app, very simple set of questions to answer. You can also upload photos if you have them. I got reports back from the team on their progress, which was a comfort since my mom lives in Village Green. I got a final report back today that the situation was resolved.

star 55 November 14, 2024 (2:35 am)

I hope there will not be a fire in Schmitz Park …… something needs to be done sooner than later. 🤞🤞🤞

anonyme November 14, 2024 (4:57 am)

Schmitz is an old-growth treasure and this encampment must be removed immediately before irreperable damage is done.

BruceNorris November 14, 2024 (5:46 am)

My 10 yo old daughter and her friend wanted to play in Schmitz Park recently and I’m glad we told them not to. Help would be a long way away if something bad happened.

David von Wolffersdorff November 14, 2024 (9:00 am)

It is common knowledge that a large percentage of homeless campers are mentally ill and/or drug addicts. So now we have the pleasure of law abiding women, men and children having to be exposed to these people when trying to enjoy a public park. Wonderful!

Sharon von November 14, 2024 (9:15 am)

I walk regularly in Schmitz Park and was very dismayed to see the tents. I’m all for helping out the campers, but want us to be firm on not allowing the camping in the parks. I disagree with the UCT comment that based on size and impact, no resolution is required. It is big enough and it is having an impact on public use of the park.

You Might As Well Be Trump November 14, 2024 (10:58 am)

It’s sad to see so many folks jump at the opportunity to continue to harm people who are trying to survive.

John November 14, 2024 (11:11 am)

For those who want immediate removal what do you propose. Take their tent and dispose of if they don’t move? You can not force someone to work and pay rent. If they want to live in a tent let them. I agree there has to be some limits as not blocking the right of way. Other than that what gives you the right to do anything. All you should be able to do is clean up the mess after they leave. Unless they are breaking the law ( not a unconstitutional law for camping/living) The supreme court has ruled! Leave these people alone. If they wanted to they could sue you and the city and win. This is still a free country and people can do as they please regardless of what you or another tyrant has to say!!!

WS Guy November 14, 2024 (5:38 pm)

Lots of options. Rent an apartment, go to a shelter, go to a state park and pay the camping fee, or go to jail.
- Bbron November 14, 2024 (8:13 pm)
  
  financial barrier, availability barrier, being further from resources they rely on, or *ding ding ding* what y’all really want for these people: jail. glad you said it out loud, but don’t hide it behind the lie of “many options”.
  - WS Guy November 14, 2024 (11:44 pm)
    
    The lie is that they have no options other than to occupy precious city public space. I don’t prefer jail. I’d rather they cleaned up, got a job, and rented a place. But absolutely jail should be on the table, and I’d say that to anyone.
    - BruceNorris November 15, 2024 (5:52 am)
      
      Agree.
    - K November 15, 2024 (7:49 am)
      
      If you think there are readily available housing units for people with every income level, you’re lying to yourself. The “services” offered to these folks are typically a spot on a wait list and a single night in a place that will require them to abandon pets, personal belongings, and often their partners as well. Most housing requires a criminal background check, so going to jail while trying to get housing makes it harder for them to actually get housing (assuming you don’t want them in jail, living on your dime, forever). Hopefully you never find yourself in the position that these folks have, but if you did you’d find that it’s not as glamorous as you make it out to be, it actually really sucks, and the push to punish homelessness has created a system where being homeless itself makes it harder to find housing than it would be for someone who is housed.

Bernadette November 14, 2024 (12:17 pm)

There was an encampment at the end of the bus line on Barton Street between 29th and 26th. It got closed down on Friday 11/08/2024 and that same day they moved east on Barton near 26th taking over the sidewalk. I use a walker and have to walk to Rite Aid and QFC in Westwood Village. So what these commenters are saying I should walk on the street or walk over these people because they have rights. What about my rights?

snowskier November 14, 2024 (1:18 pm)

The faster you enforce the rules, the faster the people breaking them will get the idea that the rules actually mean something. Please move people out of the parks as fast as possible. These are not spaces for living. They should be offered help, but if they decline the offer or don’t feel ready to accept, that shouldn’t mean they get to stay where they are. They still need to move now, with the help that’s offered or without it.

Schmitz Fan November 14, 2024 (1:35 pm)

Any of the privileged self-righteous park-haters in the comments are encouraged to offer their homes to the campers. Parks, much like libraries, are a free public resource that benefits EVERYONE regardless of status in society and must be protected. It’s clear that you have a nice private backyard of your own when you care so little about preserving clean, safe, and protected nature areas for future generations. Stop virtue signaling and go invite the campers to your house, I’m sure you have a garage or second building they would be more comfortable in :) Shame on the city for not taking action here – damage will surely be done whether it’s trash, human sh*t, fire, or all of the other results from people camping in places they shouldn’t. It’s not great or safe for anyone, including the campers!!

Derek November 14, 2024 (4:51 pm)

As usually the commenters here want all the poor in cages or an invisible area that can’t see with their eyes by chance.

JunctionResident November 14, 2024 (6:19 pm)

Wow, jumping to the conclusion that not wanting people living in a park is the equivalent to putting poor people in cages, quite the thought process and reasoning you posses there.

Camping in the park is prohibited by law. If we don’t enforce that law and let anyone live in the park it will end poorly. Schmitz Park is one of the few old growth forests left in the city and preserved for the enjoyment of everyone. Not to be used as a permanent residence. Many have witnessed what happens to encampments when they are left unattended, they grow in size, become an environmental disaster and usually end up with rapes, assaults etc. I don’t understand the anti-sweep crowd that thinks it’s compassionate to continue let people sleeping outside.
K November 15, 2024 (7:53 am)

It is pretty interesting that when the homeless sleep in Schmitz Park or Lincoln Park it’s a not an issue of having to see poor people, it’s about park rules and the environment. But there have been people living in tents at Westcrest for going on two years now without a peep from all of the environmentalist rule-followers. It’s definitely about class, and people too privileged to understand or acknowledge they are uncomfortable seeing poor people.

Admiral-2009 November 14, 2024 (10:13 pm)

John – the government forces people to pay taxes, it’s time that the government enforce the SMC that prohibits camping in City Parks. Enough coddling already, when the carrot does not work bring out the stick!