MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Problematic behavior outside King County Courthouse continues

Apr 24, 2018, 1:28 PM | Updated: 1:28 pm

seattle homeless, prolific homeless...

King County Courthouse. (penjelly, Flickr)

(penjelly, Flickr)

People are still being hassled as they go in and out of the King County Courthouse near Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.

RELATED: Small business owner begs leaders to stop crime

King County commissioners found out Tuesday that people don’t feel comfortable going to the courthouse. It’s especially a problem when jurors don’t want to show up for duty.

Last July, Judge Lara Inveen told council members that the two city parks adjacent to the courthouse were “virtually open-air drug markets.” Threats, assaults, lewd conduct, and drug dealing all became an issue around the government building.

In response, the council convened a panel to uncover the root of the problem.

Seattle Police Captain Thomas Mahaffey says the issue may be the homeless camps in the area.

“I don’t think it’s the courthouse in particular. I think — as I mentioned — it’s some of the other environmental issues down here, mainly being you have all of your service providers clustered in a very small area.”

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer says the problem needs to stop.

“We pay jurors ten dollars a day to get abused,” he said.

He said it seems ironic that the city and county encourage people to walk and use public transportation, but they are inhibited by people on sidewalks that are in violation of the law.

McKenna: Tent culture is result of Seattle’s camping laws

“Tent situation is very frustrating,” Captain Mahaffey said. “We have a lot of administrative rules we have to follow … my officers go out but because of the rules regarding encampments that we are bound to follow — they are administrative rules, maybe they don’t line up with city ordinance and law — but that’s what we have to follow.”

Captain Mahaffey says officers can ask people to move, but if they make an arrest, they are responsible for all the property. The department doesn’t have the resources to deal with it.

Major Dave Jutilla, chief of King County Metro Police, says efforts in the area will continue.

“Our efforts on Third Avenue are going to be long and consistent as we keep moving ahead and that will include the courthouse area.”

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.

7 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 […]

11 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.

13 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.

14 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.

15 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

17 hours ago

Problematic behavior outside King County Courthouse continues