Neighbors file petition to oust Seattle councilmember over homeless crisis
May 4, 2018, 6:47 AM
Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien during a town hall in Ballard. Seattle residents have started a petition against the council member. (Hanna Scott/KIRO Radio)
(Hanna Scott/KIRO Radio)
Pushback continues against some Seattle City Council members and their approach to the homeless crisis.
A petition is now being circulated is telling councilmember Mike O’Brien to pay attention, otherwise he could be voted out. It currently has more than 1,500 signatures.
KIRO 7 spoke with Ballard couple Marty McOmber and his wife, Deborah Bach, about the petition. They say public frustration about the homeless problem has mounted over years.
Dori: We are beginning to take back the Seattle region
They blame O’Brien and the council for opening parks, public streets, and spaces to illegal camping, in addition to what they call the city’s hands-off approach to those who reject services.
Some of that frustration mounted two nights ago during a public meeting where shouting took precedence.
McOmber and Bach said they’re fed up.
“Right now, we just don’t believe that what [the city council] is doing is having an impact. It’s severe, as you can see,” said McOmber.
Crime in the neighborhood around the Ballard Commons has doubled over the past five years and that doesn’t include incidents around other parts of the neighborhood and city.
This year, the city is expected to spend about $70 million on the homeless crisis.
A regional approach with King County is underway.
