A Seattle homeless encampment across the street from City Hall received a rude awakening the morning of March 9 when police and a clean-up crew arrived during waking hours to clear the camp.
Approximately 50 police officers arrived at the camp on Fourth Street between Cherry and James with a waste management truck, two social workers and a city-led camp removal team. The city roped off an additional block to Columbia Avenue.
The city posted a notice around the encampment at approximately 6 a.m., just two hours prior to dismantling the row of tents.
According to multiple news sources, the city of Seattle attempted to reach out and offer services to campers, delivering at least 15 referrals to shelters prior to Wednesday’s sweep.
“Any property that is left behind will be moved to a secure location,” the city announced over a PA system as city workers continued to throw tables, tents and other belongings into a waste management truck.
According to the city’s shelter tracker, only four shelter beds were available the morning of the sweep.
The camp was originally slated to be dismantled on Feb. 20, but homelessness advocates thwarted the attempt, blocking city workers from reaching the tents.
According to the city’s website, a 72-hour posted notice is given to encampments prior to clean up except when the city deems an encampment an obstruction. Fences were installed around the sidewalks after the sweep.
“Sweeps are traumatizing, inhumane and have no place in addressing homelessness,” said Tiffani McCoy, Real Change’s advocacy director. “We simply don’t have enough shelter space for everyone experiencing homelessness, and until we address the housing affordability crisis, more of our neighbors will continue being priced out into homelessness.”
No arrests were made.
Ace Azul is a member of Real Change staff.
Read more of the Mar. 16-22, 2022 issue.