Some have even accused the city agencies of enabling the campers. Brand new tents are frequently found several blocks away from an encampment that is scheduled to be cleared, stocked, and ready to go.
Tuesday morning, Seattle crews began work clearing a massive homeless encampment from Woodland Park, one of the largest encampments in the city. Crews said it could take several days to fully clear the park of the junked cars, RVs and debris that had accumulated.
EVE OF MASSIVE SWEEP PART 1:
Tuesday morning, Woodland Park will finally be cleared. Campers are scrambling to leave with help of outreach workers. This may be largest homeless encampment sweep under @MayorofSeattle. Area so massive, it is scheduled to happen over several days. pic.twitter.com/aIqB0iI2dz
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow)
The park had become notorious for the campers, crime and drug use. Organizers of annual cross country events, with thousands of participants at the park last year, either relocated or canceled their meets. Visitors who use the parks for sports and recreation, said they felt unsafe or found parts inaccessible because of tents and drug use.
Scenes from Woodland Park clearing this week ?
Some neighbors were kind enough to send me pictures of what was found during the sweep. You have seen plenty of pics of RVs, tents and needles. Here is the more unique stuff
First we start with the shooting range: pic.twitter.com/7KwkCsxypu
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather)
The city had posted notices informing campers of the clearing of the encampment, which has been growing in the park since before the outbreak of the pandemic.
However, a local group, that encourages drug use and campers to remain on the streets, posted notices encouraging campers to remain "neighbors" and "part of the community."
Flyers were found advertising the People's Harm Reduction Alliance which gives out needles to activists and advocates for "safe" drug use and heroin injection sites pic.twitter.com/PEagN0CWgi
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather)
The flyers advertised the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, a group that encourages "safe" drug use. According to a lawsuit recently won by Washington state against "big pharma" over 80 percent of the people living on the streets that were contacted by city outreach teams had substance abuse issues.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/pOpdZAqej10?feature=oembed
The flyers called the sweeping of encampments, "a forced eviction from your home." The flyer added, "sweeps are immoral, stupid and useless."
The flyers advocated for utilizing some city resources but warned against accepting help from local volunteer groups falsely claiming that they "will try to confiscate your possessions or exploit your face or your name for their fundraising."
One of the flyers made false claims about local volunteer groups like @weheartseattle and warned campers about talking to the media and called out @komonews @KIRO7Seattle and singled out @choeshow all frequently cover the homeless crisis pic.twitter.com/p85irzClKB
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather)
The flyers also cautioned campers to avoid the media, specifically calling out KOMO and KIRO news, as well as independent journalist Jonathan Choe. Choe was present at the sweep and was harassed by activists
WHAT A DAY SO FAR: The moment I arrive to cover the @SeattleParks encampment sweep at Woodland Park, the far left activists spot me and go wild! These folks chased me all around the park. Usual suspects. ?
Thank you to this man who tried to help me out as I dodged umbrellas. pic.twitter.com/iM7jtuXkX7
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow)
The flyer advertised PHRA services including "syringe access." Encampments near needle exchanges are frequently found with boxes of needles because typically, the facilities do not do a one-to-one exchange, instead, give out as many as a person requests.
PHRA alliance is not alone in enabling the campers. Mutual Aid, a group affiliated with Antifa, frequently harasses cleanup volunteers, city crews, police and journalists. Volunteers have told The Post Millennial that members of the group and other activists have slashed their tires and allegedly stole their belongings.
Wow yesterday's sweep was awful. The city was so on brand with their signature mix of cruelty and staggering incompetence. Most notably, two of our comrades were arrested for advocating for a Vietnamese elder and dozens of residents were displaced with nowhere else to go. 1/
— Stop The Sweeps Seattle (@Stop_Sweeps_SEA)
Some have even accused the city agencies of enabling the campers. Brand new tents are frequently found several blocks away from an encampment that is scheduled to be cleared, stocked and ready to go.
Campers at other locations have claimed that city organizations visit encampments offering drug paraphernalia, but never follow through on requests for services from campers.
Activists have a new plan, Initiative 1922, which eliminates all penalties for all drug possession in personal use amounts including fentanyl and heroin. It would also mandate funds from the marijuana tax to be spent to promote “harm reduction” strategies, which include distributing needles. Activists have long advocated for heroin injection sites as well.
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
Oregon passed a similar initiative in 2020, which has been a failure. Out of approximately 2,000 who were ticketed for drug violations during 2021, only 19 requested drug treatment, and almost half of those who received tickets ditched court appearances.
According to an analysis of fentanyl positive drug tests, there was a 58 percent increase in tests positive for fentanyl in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same time in the previous year. By 2020, there was a 163 percent increase in positive tests.
2021 year-over-year overdose deaths in the state increased by 41 percent, while nationally, overdose deaths increased by3 16 percent.
Seattle and Oregon's plans for addressing the drug were similarly echoed in the Biden administration's plan of spending a $30 million grant on "crack pipes."
REMEMBER THIS? Last December, I was covering another tent fire at Woodland Park when I stumbled upon this @SeattleParks picnic shelter taken over by homeless campers. They also used extension cords to light this place up. ? #Seattle pic.twitter.com/Q1nWluGb3c
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow)
Workers arrived at Woodland Park at 9 AM Tuesday to dismantle more than 40 tents and structures that had been built in the park. Some campers even enclosed park shelters to create homes complete with lighting hacked into the city power supply. After the tents were removed, two large excavators were brought in to haul away trash and debris.
HAPPENING NOW: Long anticipated homeless encampment sweep at Seattle’s Woodland Park under way. Most of campers have already left. There is so much stuff, heavy machinery now being used to clear trash. This clean up will be going on for several days. Park will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/GW5uTdGJyP
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow)
In January, 80 people were estimated to be living in the park. 37 were reportedly connected to some form of housing. An additional 11 shelter referrals had been made for people who moved into the park more recently.
On Tuesday, according to the city, there were 20 referrals to tiny house village units and 7 referrals to enhanced shelters. Many do not stay for long.
LATEST UPDATE ON WOODLAND PARK: Today, 20 referrals to tiny house village units and 7 referrals to enhanced shelters. More details from @MayorofSeattle’s office. #Seattle ?????? pic.twitter.com/dkgmJbflL0
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (@choeshow)
Jamie Housen, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s office, said in an email to the Seattle Times on Tuesday regarding the campers, "Some have received numerous offers of shelter. The city has enough tiny-house village and enhanced shelter options to accommodate all those remaining on-site today and everyone on-site will have received a legitimate offer of shelter."