Local

Interbay businesses say vandals costing them business; blame encampment

William Saxbe stood outside the Cheese Wizards food truck for which he is best known.  But he and his brother opened up a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 15th Avenue and Dravus Street where they have had problems galore.

"Unfortunately the encampments down there, we feel the effects here, and at Cash & Carry where we shop just two blocks away," he said. "There's a lot of waste, a lot of trash, lot of human excrement and, unfortunately, a lot of property crime."

A week ago, he says, the $4,000 generator was cut off the front of their food truck.  "So it's a fairly big loss for us," he said, "as a small business."

He lays the blame for his troubles at the feet of those living in this homeless encampment about a half mile away. That's where KIRO 7 met 70-year-old Tom Mallard.  He took exception to being called a thief.

"That is a very distinct accusation, which I would hope that they have evidence of," Mallard said.

"So you're saying that you are not vagrants who are stealing from the businesses in this area?" he was asked.

"Correct," he said. "Absolutely correct. We are homeless people."

In an open letter, Saxbe pleaded with the Seattle City Council for help.

"We are often paralyzed in this wonderful city" when it comes to these encampments, Councilmember Tim Burgess responded. "Our compassionate side wants to help. But our public health and safety obligations are sometimes not met because we fear criticism."

"What I want them to understand though," Saxbe said, "is there's a real statute of limitations in terms of our survivability as a business."

The homeless encampment may be gone soon.

The city has posted signs saying they need to be cleared out of there by 9:30 a.m. Monday.