Can a council petition influence the Seattle homeless crisis?

Some Seattlites are putting their vocal opposition into action over the local homeless crisis and are aiming that action at the Seattle City Council.

Homeless camping bill creates tension between Seattle council and mayor’s office

Two Seattle petitions have been started via iPetitions addressing the city's approach to the homeless crisis. One demands the city council alter its approach to a controversial bill that, if approved, the ordinance would essentially allow camping on public property under certain circumstances. That petition has reached 21,370 online signatures in about 10 days. It has a goal of 25,000.

That council petition states:

Homeless people belong in homes, rehab facilities, mental health facilities or other places where they can get the help they need. Not only does the proposed ordinance note help them, this law will lead to the devastation of our parks that we all have a right to use safely. It will also adversely impact protected wetlands, soils, and environments. Finally, it will most likely attract more homeless persons from other locations to the City of Seattle, where they will expect to be provided free camping or other suitable housing.

A second council petition is much smaller and has been slowly gaining signatures — it is targeted at Council Member Mike O'Brien.

We only need 77k signatures to remove Mike O'Brien from the Seattle City Council. We need a representative who actually listens to the people paying his salary. We are tired of being dismissed as hysterical NIMBY's!!!

While the petition states that it needs 77,000 signatures, its goal has been set at 1,000. It gained 940 signatures in the eight days since it was started.

Cox Media Group