Stop Seattle From Turning Our Parks Into Homeless Encampments

There are already designated camping locations - and parks should not become one.

These are transient criminals not homeless

I've never seen so many homeless. Spreading them out into our few areas of nature is not a solution just creating another possibly bigger problem. What can be done to provide a roof over every homeless person. If these are mental health issues, letting them spread over our public areas because they do not want treatment - not wanting treatment should not be an option. Mental health issues matter.

The City Council has gone way too far. Stop this dangerous proposal right now. Is Tim Burgess the only member who has a brain? This open camping has failed miserably in other cities. Do not destroy our parks. Keep our children & citizens safe. Do not pass this stupid proposal. Those who vote for this should not be re-elected next term to this or any position. Ever.

This is crazy. Copout!

Portland tried this same proposed ACLU policy and it failed miserably. What evidence does the majority on the Seattle City Council have to show that Seattle will be different? The definition of insanity: Trying the same thing over and over and each time expecting a different result. Yes, a majority of the Seattle City Council appears to fit this definition.

We need our parks for urban hikes and exercise. We have paid for them to be restored.

I absolutely oppose this insane "plan" to trash our city. It will not help resolve the issues that put people on the street (mental health and addiction). This merely makdes us all enablers

It is time to stop the madness. Let's help those that truly need the help get back on their feet. The practice of trying sensible solutions for those lacking judgement or reason aka the drug addled and mentally ill has turned this city into a disgusting mess.

Does anyone really think this is a good idea?

Horrified at what is happening in our communities. This is not the homeless solution. Don't take the easy way out, councilmembers.

The Seattle City Counsel is out of control and needs to be voted out of office.

Good

It's hard to imagine the thought process behind this city council's thinking, as Seattle craves open/park/ball park space to accommodate its swelling population for both kids and adults for walking, biking, and sports activities. To make this space unsafe and/or unusable to the vast majority of Seattle's residents is a crime. Lest the council forget the number of ballot measures approved by the voters to expand and upgrade our parks, never thinking they would get turned over for a purpose such as this. Therefore, if this measure gets approved by the council, who would vote for any park measure going forward? I have been associated with little league and youth soccer for over 10 years and these organizations pay for the use of the fields for the reserved time slot. It will be impossible to run any sports organization with not knowing if the reserved/paid field will be available. And some teams travel great distances to play at an event. I also play adult soccer twice a week and would be compelled to quit if I didn't know if my game was on or off because someone could be camped on the field. This measure basically turns public property into quasi private property similar to cars/RV's parked on the street that are lived in, where no one else gets to use that parking spot except them. Combined with crime (see latest stats on petty theft) and trash accumulated (see underneath north end of Ballard bridge for exhibit 1), our short changed parks (see beat up ball fields and deferred maintenance) already will just turn into dumping grounds (see anywhere in Ballard - drive through the neighborhoods to see the dumping). So now we will see both streets (already) and parks turn into wasteland. Who would have ever thought the city I moved to over 35 years ago would move in this direction?

This bill does nothing to address root causes of homeless: drug addiction and/or mental illness. Focus on housing and treatment programs before passing this ill-conceived rule.

This is unacceptable, we worked hard to create these safe spaces for our families to enjoy. Something must be done and it's on the city council to figure it out because it's their job!

As a lifelong Seattle resident, I am beyond appalled that our feckless city council is even considering this. I hope that voters remember this when their terms are up, and shows these horrible stewards of our tax dollars the door! The parks belong to the people of this city, not transient, violent drug addicted thieves that show zero respect for the city that provided services that brought them here.

Check with Portland....they made the mistake. Please do not open our green spaces. We need a more livable and permanent solution to homelessness.

Please do not pass this resolution! It will infringe on my right to enjoy the parks that my tax dollars support.

Have you looked into what happened in Portland?? Learn from their experiment that failed, rather than commit to this! This is NOT a good solution for ANYONE! DO NOT turn our parks, streets, parking strips, into homeless camps. FIND a better way. The city keeps demanding more and more money from US, the taxpayers until we can hardly afford our home, and THIS is your "SOLUTION"? If you do this, we WANT OUR MONEY BACK and our PROPERTY TAXES lowered to a reasonable amount! You can't keep taking our money and doing NOTHING that makes sense!