Crews clear homeless camp outside Seattle City Hall

SEATTLE — A homeless encampment near Seattle City Hall is being cleared after a previous attempt to do so was unsuccessful last month.

The encampment, located on 4th Avenue between James Street and Columbia Street, had 30 tents at one point.

Seattle police sealed off several blocks of 4th Avenue around 8 a.m.

City crews then began working to take down tents and clear debris on the street.

The encampment was originally scheduled to be cleared on Feb. 20, but activists with the Seattle Protest Network prevented city workers from moving in.

The mayor’s office told KIRO 7 that outreach workers with the city’s HOPE Team have visited the area multiple times, resulting in at least 15 referrals to shelters and tiny houses since Feb. 17.

Homeless camps across downtown Seattle are getting cleared out as part of the city’s new tactic to address homelessness.

“When we talk about the city of Seattle removing tents, clearing our sidewalks, yes we want to do that. But what’s driving it is we want to house people,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell during a press conference last month. “We get them the treatment they need and deserve. That is Seattle at its best.”

KIRO 7 spoke with several people at the encampment, who said they did not know where they would end up.

But, if they’re refusing offers of shelter, they told us it’s likely they’ll find another space where they can pitch a tent.

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