The tyrant Donald Trump has been removed from power. The Republic is preserved. Now we must rededicate ourselves to the hard work before us: to learn from our many mistakes, to fix what is broken, to raise up downtrodden Americans, and to strive to form a more perfect union.
The South Seattle Emerald recounts Monday’s MLK Day March.
The Seattle Medium catches us up with the Mayor’s Equitable Communities Initiative.
PubliCola reports that many of the scarce public restrooms in the city are now closed for the winter.
The Seattle Medium covers the announcement of the new Seattle Community Safety Initiative.
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I have a question. Our neighbor said that the city council has enacted a policy that restricts the police from entering public parks, especially with regards to the homeless camps that have been sent up. Is this true? We live near Woodpark and there are large encampments throughout the park between Greenlake and Aurora Ave. And yes, we have noticed significant increase in theft in the neighborhood, without much police response. Any information would be helpful. Thanks
No, the police are not restricted from entering public parks. No such policy exists.
At the moment, the city is limiting the removal of homeless encampments, including in parks, because of CDC guidance that during the COVID-19 pandemic shuffling homeless individuals around the city could increase the spread of the virus and increase public health risks. They are still doing the occasional removal when an urgent public safety hazard exists because of an encampment, but for the most part they are not enforcing the “no camping in public parks” laws.
The police are not in charge of removing homeless encampments, though other city departments (SDOT, Parks, etc.) may call them in to provide support when they go in to remove one. Mostly they are trying to lead with outreach and offers of shelter and services to entice homeless individuals off the streets — to the extent that the capacity-constrained shelter and services are available to offer.
Thanks. It did not sound right but figured you or your readers might know.