Stop Seattle From Turning Our Parks Into Homeless Encampments

Hello, my name is Megan Henley. I grew up in Seattle, am a Seattle tax payer, a mother of young children, and a daily park user. The parks and greenbelts in Seattle are part of what make Seattle a great place to live. I understand that the Seattle City Council has been fast-tracking legislation to establish new regulations and requirements to protect the rights and dignity Seattleites who are living out of doors. As currently written, however, Council Bill 118794 would secure a new right to camp in public spaces throughout the city including parks and greenbelts, city sidewalks, and planting strips. And a tent in a park is not a real housing solution for anyone. Especially for our most vulnerable residents. We can do better. I would deeply appreciate any effort you and the rest of the Council can take to create a more thoughtful and compassionate strategy that guarantees the dignity, rights, and safety of Seattleites who now live outside; and ensuring our parks and public spaces are not sanctioned for encampments, a use they are in no way intended, designed, or equipped to accommodate. Thank you for your time.

I live across the street from Cowen Park. Please do not allow camping in the park. The park is purposed for people to enjoy during the day not during the night. Also there is a sensitive environment in Ravenna/Cowen parks that would be harmed by people living there. It is also then not safe for families. Please consider the ramifications to this poor bill.

Is it really true that if I have a tent/homeless person in the parking strip in front of my house and I don't provide the inhabitant of the tent with water and sanitation I will be fined $250/day?

This would be a disservice to this community and irresponsible of the Council to not consider the overall picture of preserving Seattle as a special place to live, and work...not CAMP!!!!

I am opposed to this legislation to allow camping in public spaces. It will not help the homeless get what they need and it will further trash our beautiful city

Seattle can do better than this ! To allow camping in parks, sidewalks and playgrounds undermines our civility of life in Seattle . It will be a welcome mat for homeless of the United States.

No to the propose homeless ordinance. 2 to 3 fields for temporary camping. If someone is found camping anywhere else, send them to these locations.

This makes no sense!

Let's not punt on this problem, this solution will only make it worse

This is short sighted and will not achieve our goals re homelessness.

Kill the bill, don't defer it.

Please don't let our city fall into further ruin. Do not allow homeless in public parks.

Sidewalks are not for homeless people. They need facilities and other shelter to best serve their needs.

Please don't bring this to our parks more so than it already is.

Stop the insanity.

fund facilities that will help these people!

NO!!!!!

I appreciate the council's attempt to help our city's homeless individuals. Care and a well considered plan needs to be worked out first to insure safety for all folks.

I can't stand to see these people litter and destroy our ecosystem

Housing first is the only tried and true method for conquering homelessness. If you are going to use tax dollars on homelessness, use it to create actual homes.