MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Can a council petition influence the Seattle homeless crisis?

Oct 20, 2016, 8:07 AM | Updated: 12:20 pm

Washington homeless...

Homelessness in Washington, in particular Seattle-King County, has grown significantly over 2015. (AP)

(AP)

Some Seattleites are putting their vocal opposition into action over the local homeless crisis and are aiming that action at the Seattle City Council.

Homeless camping bill creates tension between Seattle council and mayor’s office

Two Seattle petitions have been started via iPetitions addressing the city’s approach to the homeless crisis. One demands the city council alter its approach to a controversial bill that, if approved, the ordinance would essentially allow camping on public property under certain circumstances. That petition has reached 21,370 online signatures in about 10 days. The goal is 25,000.

That council petition states:

Homeless people belong in homes, rehab facilities, mental health facilities or other places where they can get the help they need. Not only does the proposed ordinance note help them, this law will lead to the devastation of our parks that we all have a right to use safely. It will also adversely impact protected wetlands, soils, and environments. Finally, it will most likely attract more homeless persons from other locations to the City of Seattle, where they will expect to be provided free camping or other suitable housing.

A second council petition is much smaller and has been slowly gaining signatures — it is targeted at Council Member Mike O’Brien.

We only need 77k signatures to remove Mike O’Brien from the Seattle City Council. We need a representative who actually listens to the people paying his salary. We are tired of being dismissed as hysterical NIMBY’s!!!

While the petition states that it needs 77,000 signatures, its goal has been set at 1,000. It gained 940 signatures in the eight days since it was started.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

6 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

10 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

11 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

13 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

13 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

15 hours ago

Can a council petition influence the Seattle homeless crisis?