Seattle proceeds with second homeless camp removal this week
Mar 11, 2022, 1:10 PM | Updated: Mar 12, 2022, 7:51 am
A homeless encampment in Westlake. (Ranji Sinha, KIRO 7)
(Ranji Sinha, KIRO 7)
For the second time this week, the city of Seattle proceeded with the removal of a homeless encampment, this time in Westlake Park.
Sweep of homeless camp outside Seattle City Hall draws criticism
Around 9 a.m., crews came in, cleaned up, and cleared people out.
A small group of people looked on during the early morning cleanup and, for some, it was tough to watch. Others tell KIRO 7 TV the cleanup was necessary for everyone’s safety.
For 2nd time this week Seattle city crews cleared out tents on a city sidewalk – this time in Westlake Park – we were there to see it again as homeless were moved from the area. Story Noon @KIRO7Seattle activists left their own message on the sidewalk pic.twitter.com/0QeUqwzJJt
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) March 11, 2022
Activists and protesters have said people need services, not sweeps that uproot them. In some cases, homeless people often refuse those services.
The city says the HOPE Team, within its human services department, has been doing homeless outreach. It’s likely that effort will continue, but Mayor Bruce Harrell has said that efforts to get camps off public sidewalks are a priority.
The camp in Westlake Park was far smaller than Wednesday’s cleanup across from City Hall on Fourth Avenue. That camp stretched for several city blocks and had been there for months. People there admitted they were not sure where they would go.
The City of Seattle tells KIRO 7 TV that roughly 15 people from Wednesday’s camp were referred to shelters or tiny homes.
