Seattle council member: ‘This is not a good environment for anybody’

We’re 11 months into the homeless state of emergency declared by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Still no solutions, but a lot more tents. And the battle over a proposed new homeless encampment law is heating up again.

At issue, a proposal crafted by the ACLU and other advocacy groups to make it extremely difficult to remove homeless encampments, and require the homeless are provided housing if they are removed from public places.

Related: Tragic dog attack near homeless tents forces woman out of Seattle

It comes as impromptu and illegal encampments continue sprouting like mushrooms all over Seattle, spreading now to ball fields, including one in Interbay and another in the University District across from the library.

Council member Tim Burgess says he’s seen enough.

“All along the edge of the field inside the park fence is a pile of garbage and tents. This is not a good environment for anybody and it certainly does not help the individuals who are living on the street,” Burgess said.

Burgess was the only member to vote “no” last month at a highly contentious meeting about even allowing the council to consider the ACLU proposal.

As the council prepares to formally consider it in the coming weeks, he’s the lone voice speaking out against it.

This week, he penned a widely distributed blog post and took to the media to argue against the measure.

“It essentially creates a right to camp in the city on public property and I think that’s just a serious mistake,” Burgess said.

The proposal requires officials give 30 days notice before anyone can be moved from a public place. It mandates 48-hours notice before even removing those camping in dangerous or “unsuitable” places like ball fields.

“It does nothing to solve homelessness for anyone,” Burgess said. “It doesn’t move one person from the street into a home or even into an emergency shelter. It does nothing to address mental illness challenges or chemical addictions. In fact, it perpetuates homelessness.”

But backers argue at least it’s something.

After waiting nearly a year after the declaration of the homeless state of emergency with virtually nothing done, council members like Lorena Gonzalez said at the contentious hearing they’re tired of waiting.

“Status quo is not acceptable. A new strategy for managing the growing the encampments crisis in our city has never been more urgent,” Gonzales said.

Still, Burgess argues the measure actually make things worse. He’s lobbying his fellow members to let a new proposal from the mayor and outside experts play out rather than create an even bigger problem with dueling approaches.

“Those recommendations will actually move people from homelessness to permanent housing. That’s a good thing,” Burgess said.

“And I think it’s critically important for city government to properly balance our compassionate response to our homeless neighbors and also our public health and safety obligations as city government.”

That’s brought the wrath of advocates and the far left down on Burgess — a moderate liberal suddenly branded as a homeless hater.

“That goes with the job and I’m used to that and that’s OK. I’m put here by the people to do the right thing and work for the greater good that’s in the best interest of the city, and that’s what I’ll try to do. And what people say about me or whatever, I try to ignore that,” he said.

But he’s also being hailed as the lone voice of reason on a council many critics say has lost complete control of the crisis.

And Burgess hopes a majority of his fellow council members hear the outcries from those who argue the encampment proposal only makes things worse, as it comes up for consideration in the next few weeks.

“I think all of my colleagues pay attention to what the people of Seattle say. We’ve received thousands of emails and phone calls on this particular topic. I think those voices will be heard,” he said.

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