Seattle begins removal of dangerous homeless encampment at Courthouse Park

Workers with the JustCARE program have spent the last several weeks creating "individualized plans" for the 52 individuals that reside in the encampment. The county says their expectation is that nearly all residents of the encampment will accept alternative housing despite repeated history of campers refusing housing.

Since the 72 hour effort to remove the taxpayer-funded encampment began on Tuesday, 40 of the 52 unhoused individuals have allegedly transitioned into alternative housing. King County is set to close Courthouse Park for an estimated 2-3 months to restore the property once the encampment has been cleared.

The city and county say they will "continue to work closely regarding long-term plans for the park post-closure," according to MyNorthwest.

The Post Millennial recently reported that due to the violent nature of the encampment, Seattle PD was forced to implement new policies where officers would be required to assist Seattle Fire with a Rescue Task Force when life-threatening emergencies happened within the park. Seattle firefighters have been repeatedly attacked while rendering aid near and within the encampment.

On Friday, individuals that work at King County Courthouse marched in protest of the encampment and the city's refusal to address their safety concerns. Workers at the Courthouse are repeatedly attacked residents at the encampment. Last week, a female employee was attacked and sexually assaulted by a homeless man inside the bathroom at the Courthouse.

The man who assaulted her was a prolific offender.

In addition, Courthouse Park encampment is a hotspot for homicides, shootings, stabbings, and assaults. In May, a homeless man with multiple priors, kicked a 67-year-old man's dog to death during an attempted robbery in the park. The man was released from jail on his own recognizance the very next day due to Seattle's revolving door policies.

The county says Seattle's Courthouse Park will be cleared by Friday.