‘Kids or drug addicts?’: Jake and Spike blast Seattle’s response to Woodland Park RV encampment

Safety concerns about an RV encampment along a youth cross-country course at Seattle’s Woodland Park have KIRO hosts Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill questioning why the city hasn’t acted to protect young runners.

“There’s nothing easier than to say, ‘Hey, who are we prioritizing? Kids or drug addicts?’” Jake said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “You have the choice between the two. You can’t have both and have a happy park.”

RVs returned to a gravel parking lot on the south side of Woodland Park near Green Lake in late August, raising concerns about hostile encounters and off-leash dogs along the running course, according to KOMO News. The location has been cleared at least twice in recent years.

Coach reports hostile encounters involving RV encampment

The hosts played audio from KOMO News’ interview with a coach who described calling police twice and being followed down a trail by two people from the encampment.

For Jake, the account brought back memories of living near Green Lake and walking around it with his wife and their baby. He questioned how parents could feel comfortable sending their children through the area now.

“If my kids are running at one of these high schools that are doing these courses, there is no way in heck I’m allowing them to stay on that team while they still have all these people in those parks,” Jake said.

Spike also recalled taking his family to Green Lake and his child’s experience running in school. He emphasized that the concerns extend beyond high school athletes to younger children in youth running programs.

Park resident offers a different perspective

An encampment resident named Johnny told KOMO News he hadn’t witnessed runners being intimidated.

“There’s a lot of people that are homeless that give homeless a horrible name, but that’s not everybody,” he said.

Jake asked Spike what he thought of the argument that the park had enough space for everyone. Spike drew a distinction between visiting a public park and living there.

“If you’re not visiting the park, if you’re living in the park, that’s not what the park was intended for, and that’s not what the law allows,” Spike said.

He also described another RV resident’s concerns about drug use and safety, while noting that she was working toward finding housing.

Jake argued that protecting children’s access to the park should be a basic city responsibility.

“Why aren’t they going in and stopping the people who are doing the illegal thing when the kids are just trying to run?” Jake said.

City response frustrates the hosts

In KOMO News’ report, a spokesperson for Seattle’s Unified Care Team acknowledged the complaints. The report described regular trash pickup, outreach, and referrals to services for people living there.

Long-term RV parking enforcement falls to Seattle police, according to the report, which gave no timeline for action.

Jake viewed that response as another example of the problems that drove him away from Seattle.

“This is a perfect example of why people think Seattle’s a joke,” he said. “Why people like me, who left for this very reason, think it’s a joke.”

Spike emphasized that the city had received repeated complaints. He noted KIRO producer Laura Scott had spoken with the coach that morning about efforts to get help through Seattle’s Find It, Fix It app.

Championship location could be affected

Laura said the coach had also raised concerns about the Metro Championship. The event has been held in the Green Lake area for 40 years, but conditions could prevent it from taking place there this year.

Jake was frustrated at the possibility of changing the championship location.

“They have to maybe change the championship because the city’s not willing to deal with an obvious problem,” Jake said.

He argued that removing the RVs should not be complicated.

“Guess what? They’re on wheels. Just tell them to leave,” Jake said.

Spike had a suggestion based on what he saw during major events.

“What if we tell the mayor there’s a FIFA game coming?” Spike said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3