‘I think this VRAP is straight up whack’: Jake slams Seattle’s new RV rules

The Seattle City Council approved a package of RV restrictions on Tuesday night. KIRO host Jake Skorheim started out seeing the plan as at least a step forward, but he turned on it after learning how many chances RV residents would get to turn down help before facing consequences.

“Now I think this VRAP is straight up whack,” Jake said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

The council approved the Vehicle Resident Assistance Program (VRAP), a package of six pieces of legislation. Under the program, RVs and motorhomes with a permit must move every 72 hours, and those without a permit can park on city streets for only two hours.

Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, who sponsored the program, argued that “doing nothing is not an option.”

The package now goes to Mayor Katie Wilson for approval.

Spike backs ‘progress, not perfection’

KIRO host Spike O’Neill offered cautious support for the plan.

“I’m a firm proponent of progress, not perfection,” Spike said. “Rather than not do anything because it’s not perfect, I appreciate some progress.”

Spike explained that permit holders must be the registered owners of their RVs. According to KOMO News, permits are also limited to people identified in a one-time citywide census, and the city will direct $5 million in already-budgeted funding toward outreach, safe parking lots, vehicle storage and services.

Jake pointed out that many of the RVs may not be able to meet the two-hour limit.

“And a lot of these don’t run,” Jake said.

Jake balks at five chances

Permits could be revoked if a person turns down offers of appropriate shelter too many times, according to KOMO News.

Spike described the limit as five refusals, with the sixth costing a resident the permit and leading to impoundment. That number changed Jake’s view of the plan.

“Well, where I was thinking that this was at least something. Now I think this is nothing,” Jake said.

He compared the plan to King County Metro’s fare ambassador program. He cited figures that he acknowledged were approximations: about 30 ambassadors, a budget of roughly $3 million a year, thousands of interactions with riders not paying fares, and only eight tickets written.

“If you’re saying that they get five chances before there’s any teeth to this thing, it’s like when they were talking about all those Metro bus ambassadors,” Jake said.

Spike also referenced a Seattle Red 770 AM piece by Jason Rantz, host of “The Jason Rantz Show,” that put the share of riders who don’t pay fares at 35%.

Jake predicted that workers would avoid taking action against RV residents who keep turning down offers.

“I’m very cynical about government,” Jake said.

He still left room to be proven wrong.

“Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe that’s not how it’s gonna work. And maybe they’ll clean up the streets. That’d be nice,” Jake said.

Concerns about moving the problem

Both Jake and Spike questioned whether the rules would actually reduce RV camping or just move it around the city.

“Yeah, they want to spread the problem around the city,” Jake said.

Spike agreed that many people share that concern.

“But to your earlier point, a lot of people feel it’s just gonna move it down the block,” Spike said.

A pitch for a council rap video

Before getting into the policy, Jake joked that the city should market the program the way the state promoted its “Wash Your Hands-ington” campaign.

“They should have the Seattle City Council members rap about it and then make like a little video,” Jake said.

Spike declined to freestyle.

“I can’t break dance, and I think any good rap video needs an element of break dancing,” 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