‘Tweakerville’ founder wants churches to end support for homeless

The man behind Everett’s infamous “Tweakerville” sign and the live Tweakerville cam is now running for mayor.

The Snohomish County Auditor’s Office confirmed with KIRO Radio that Gary Watts has officially filed as a write-in candidate for Everett mayor. As a write-in, his name will not appear on the upcoming November ballot.

RELATED: Tweakerville cam raises the wrong kind of awareness

Watts appeared in the public spotlight when he posted a sign stating “Welcome to Tweakerville” in July. It was meant to draw attention to Smith Avenue near his store, Z Sports Automotive. He said the area near the I-5 overpass was constantly filled with homeless tents and open drug use. He also alleged that his store was broken into multiple times by people from the encampment, yet the situation continued.

Watts said the sign was meant to be “polarizing.” It created a buzz and controversy over the treatment of addicts and those experiencing homelessness. Residents of homeless encampment even responded.

But it wasn’t the last time Watts engaged the public. In August, he started a live Tweakerville camera feed. People were able to watch a view of the encampment from his store’s perspective.

Watts wants to knock down ‘welcome sign’

Watts told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that police have their hands tied when it comes to illegal activity. He wants to see tougher laws and enforcement.

He also says he wants churches, for example, to end their support of homeless.

“I can petition those churches that are feeding them and let them understand what they’re doing,” he said. Essentially, he said, people are feeding the same people that are stealing from them.

The Everett mayoral race has been notable this year, as the city’s longest-serving mayor leaves office. Currently, Cassie Franklin and Judy Tuohy are on the ballot as the two primary winners. If either wins, she will be the first elected female mayor. The primary was also extremely close, with three candidates within two percentage points of each other.

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