Some of Seattle's most visible homeless encampments are disappearing as part of the city's increased efforts to get people access to services.
Scott Lindsay, the public safety advisor to Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, told KIRO 7 the city’s Navigation Team is making a dent in the huge local homeless issue.
"We've got a lot more intensive effort going on right now to engage people who are living unsheltered, on the streets, often in very dangerous conditions," Lindsay said.
For the past two days, members of the Navigation Team have been clearing a homeless encampment on 4th Avenue South and South Royal Brougham, offering shelter to the more than 30 people who have been living there.
Sixteen people accepted that offer, according to Lindsay.
He said, over the past five weeks, hundreds of the city’s homeless have been contacted at local encampments and offered shelter and services.
About half of them have accepted those offers.
Lindsay also told KIRO 7, as part of the Navigation Team’s ongoing efforts, more than 1,000 tons of garbage has been cleared from the encampments.
On March 7, the encampment known as The Field, which is near the junction of I-5 and I-90, was cleaned up by the Navigation Team.
The encampment under the Ballard Bridge was also recently cleared.
In the coming days, according to Lindsay, Navigation Team members will focus their attention on homeless encampments under the West Seattle Bridge, on the east and west sides of Queen Anne Hill and on an encampment near the Space Needle at 3rd and Broad streets, in Belltown.
Lindsay said the Navigation Team members’ primary responsibility is offering shelter and services to people who are living outside.
For those who refuse help, Lindsay said, the city will “continually engage them” and offer services.
"We always hope that they will say yes, but we're also trying to set new boundaries for what's acceptable in the city," Lindsay told KIRO 7. "It's not ok to set up your tent in a dangerous location and throw trash on the freeway. You're not going to get away with that anymore."
Cox Media Group
