Tukwila City Council weighs making public camping a criminal offense

The Tukwila City Council is mulling over an ordinance that would criminalize camping in public places.

The Camping Restriction Ordinance was proposed to the council earlier this week and, if passed, would outlaw camping in city parks, on sidewalks, on public utility property, and other areas. Violating this ordinance would be a misdemeanor offense, resulting in a fine of up to $1,000 and even jail time.

According to documents obtained by KOMO News, the ordinance was submitted to the council to “address growing public safety concerns, preserve accessibility of public spaces, and create a consistent legal framework for responding to unauthorized encampments.”

“We have all the data we need at this point to know that things are not working,” Jenna Ducato, a Seattle resident for the past three decades, shared during the council meeting. “Please help change this destructive pattern by voting yes on banning camping.”

The ordinance was sponsored by Tukwila Police Department Interim Chief Eric Lund, who called it a “last resort tool” for homeless individuals refusing help or services.

Among those speaking to the council was We Heart Seattle Founder Andrea Suarez, who claimed homeless encampments are “breeding grounds for drug dealing, using, human trafficking, assaults, enablement of all kinds, and environmental decimation.”

It was an honor to bring our team to testify @CityofTukwila that tents are a breeding ground for drug dealing, using, human trafficking, assaults, enablement of all kinds and environmental decimation. 👇🏼 The vote is 7/20 to ban camping🤞🏼Washington state is an outlier… https://t.co/SX9PBnHJqe pic.twitter.com/tl91vfvSNA

— We Heart Seattle (@weheartseattle) July 16, 2026

“Being in a tent does not help anybody,” Patrick Brunette, a case manager for We Heart Seattle and former homeless individual, said. “A tent is a super temporary solution that never really seems to work. It’s rampant drug abuse.”

More than a dozen people used the council meeting’s public comment period to voice their opinions on the ordinance.

“From my experience from being in the tent for seven years, if there’s a tent outside, then there’s most likely something going on, like trafficking or drug use,” Chantel Walker, another former homeless person and human trafficking survivor, shared.

Those against the camping ban

While many voiced their support for making public camping a misdemeanor in Tukwila, several residents argued that this is not the right course of action.

“Never should we have homeless be a crime,” Tukwila resident Robert Newthier said. “Homeless is not a crime. Trespassing is a crime. Drug use, loitering — that could be a crime.”

Tukwila Councilmember Kate Kruller agreed, making it clear to the rest of the council that it’s not her goal to give homeless people a criminal rap sheet just for being homeless.

“Criminalizing this is not going to be a deterrent,” Jan Bulwejack, a community advocate and pastor, shared. “We know that putting a person in jail overnight is not going to help. Calling them a criminal is not going to help them move forward.”

Tukwila is home to two shelters in addition to a 40-unit tiny home village. Marta Kidana, a community engagement manager for the Low Income Housing Institute, told the council this is not enough.

“There is not enough shelter in the region,” Kidana said. “As a shelter provider, we can say that our shelter is full 95% of the time. We do not have a space available to someone because there are so many people in need.”

A vote to pass or reject the ordinance is expected to occur July 20 during a city council meeting.

Contributing: KIRO Newsradio staff

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