Homeless Sleeping In Park Near Baseball Field

Several neighbors have reported seeing, possibly two individuals, sleeping at the north side of Laurelhurst Park by the baseball field on Friday, May 17th.  The camp site had a large red and white umbrella and several personal bags.

In March, it was reported that a man may have been living in the bushes at the end of NE 44th Street right off 43rd Avenue NE, the Boulevard.  Several neighbors have seen the male, with about shoulder length hair and beard, come out of that area and walk along the back alley behind the homes 

One neighbor said:

I saw a quite disheveled man emerge from the bushes near the park wandering up and down the alley looking at homes.  When the man was out, we looked in the bushes and saw some clothes and other personal items.

 

Several neighbors believe that neither of these individuals is Andrei, who was frequenting the neighborhood quite often, especially the streets around Laurelhurst Elementary School and Laurelhurst Park, taking walks and sometimes sleeping in Laurelhurst Park at times with another male.

Seattle Parks does not allow unauthorized camping.  The Seattle Municipal Code 18.12.250 states that "It is unlawful to camp in any park except at places set aside and posted for such purposes by the Superintendent." 

Suspicious Man Near St. Bridget's Church And Homeless Man At St. Stephens Church

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

We live across the street from St Bridget's Church on NE 50th Street and on October  19, our neighbors told us that around 3pm, they saw a man climbing over their front yard fence.  

When they asked him about it, he said he was doing some work at our house which wasn't true. He then walked between our homes and into our backyard before disappearing.  

He was described to me as Hispanic with a ponytail. One of our other neighbors reported the incident to the police.

 

Other neighbors have reported seeing a homeless man, not Andrei, regularly sleeping at the entrance to St. Stephens Church on NE 45th Street.

Neighbors Report Homeless Man Near Beach Club And Tent Near Bus Stop

Several neighbors have reported a homeless person who has been camping at the Beach Club entrance.

Neighbors commented: 

We have seen a homeless man with a shopping cart headed down hill towards beach club.

The homeless man was around the Beach Club today, 10/19, and he ended up camping/sleeping near the entry gate.  Several neighbors called the police. 

The homeless man has been hanging out near the bench close to the Beach Club entrance. He seemed a bit agitated and was looking up the hill watching any activity.  

There was a man with a knit hat and grocery store cart that we noticed was camping near the Beach Club last week. 

When we called the police about the homeless individual, they mentioned that notifying the Laurelhurst Blog,  neighborhood watch groups and of course, 911, will help keep our neighborhood safe.  

It is not legal to sleep in our neighborhood unless you own or rent a home or may be invited by a resident or renter.  

On 10/22, I saw a homeless man pushing a grocery cart west on NE 41st Street and the corner of 50th Avenue NE. It seemed from his belongings he had camped in the neighborhood somewhere.  

We saw a homeless man pushing his grocery cart down Surber Drive to the lake front lot at the end of the block. He passed right by me with a blank stare and continued. 

We have heard that the homeless man has been reported more than once this month by nearby neighbors. Police have come and he leaves for day or so.

A neighbor also commented about a tent near the bus stop saying: Do the additional police we pay extra monitor these areas? I saw a tent near the bus stop by Children's Hospital last weekend and was surprised to see that on their property.

Response From Police About Homeless Man, Andrei, And More Recent Sightings

Andrei Peter Strejac

The Laurelhurst Blog recently posted about a homeless man, Andrei Peter Strejac, seen frequently walking around Laurelhurst and other nearby neighborhoods over the last many months.

The Blog staff forwarded the post to the NE Seattle Police North Precinct Officers, of whom Officer Decker responded saying:

Mr. Strejac to my knowledge is not in custody and is free to walk the streets.   

There are many mentally ill people, often homeless, in the city, as you know.
All calls for service are prioritized often  based on imminent threat to the general public.  I can not speak to the 2 hour wait but I can tell you there continues to staffing shortages at the Seattle Police Department.

That being said, most incidents referred to us involving Mr. Strejac are thoroughly documented and, if warranted, referred to the prosecutor for consideration of charges.  I am including at least one Crisis Intervention Officer with this email.  I will follow up with him for his thoughts regarding this individual and your ongoing concerns.   

I encourage you to remain vigilant when Mr. Strejac is near.

Laurelhurst Blog readers also received these comments following the recent post:

Sounds like this guy needs mental health assistance rather than jail. Too bad we have so few facilities which offer that help.

I am writing in response to the Laurelhurst Blog post about Andrei. I live in Laurelhurst, am a female runner who loves my morning runs.  After reading the Blog post, I am now afraid to continue my routine of running in the morning.  I have seen this Andrei around Laurelhurst and surrounding neighborhoods for several months (not on my runs, but later in the day when in my car) but never knew that he was a threatening and aggressive person.  I guess I don't understand why he is being allowed to cruise around freely. If he has been threatening, aggressive and intimidating and we are supposed to call 911 when we see him, why is he being allowed to camp in the park and be around our neighborhood.

I do not want to live in fear. I have been an early morning runner in Seattle for 20 years and NOW I am afraid and am planning to skip my morning run tomorrow. 

Living close to Laurelhurst Park we have seen him a lot over the last few months in the park and walking up and down 47th Avenue NE  Recently, he has been  sitting at the bus stop next to Nathan Hale High School at 35th Avenue NE and NE 110th Street several times.  

We have seen this man several times since spring on 47th Avenue NE between the Park and Sand Point Way, in front of Marlai Restaurant on NE 45th Street,  etc. He had a menacing quality about him and was wearing mid winter clothes in the very warm weather.

Give Input On City's' Proposal To Allow Homeless Encampments In Parks, Schools, And Other Public Areas

The City Council is reviewing proposed legislation, Ordinance #124747 authorizing “transitional encampments” on public lands for homeless including parks and green spaces, throughout the City of Seattle, and Council Bill 118794, stating that a 30 day notice for encampments is required on all of the cities public space (including sidewalks). A vote has not yet been scheduled on the latter one.

Citizens can send comments before tomorrow to City Council members listed at the end of the post.

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) voted unanimously to oppose the measure at its last meeting.

If approved the proposed legislation would:

• permit homeless camping on public or City owned property, including Parks and Schools
• limit the City’s ability to remove tents from sidewalks, unsafe locations and School property as Police officers would need to provide 30 days notice before removing an encampment
• restrict the City’s ability to address encampments associated with criminal activity

Here is the Council proceedings on the Seattle Channel.

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information from a citizen who attended the City Council meeting yesterday:

The City Council was aggressively trying to proceed with their plans to allow encampments on City-owned public areas for up to 30 days continuous. The only Council member who opposed the legislation was Tim Burgess. 

Legislation includes among many requirements that the property of individuals who are living in the encampments is to be insured by the City for up to $250. If there are more than 5 people in the encampment, the City is to provide them with facilities such as honey bucket and waste disposal. There was a fair amount of debate over what constitutes a "suitable" encampment, which would be any structure which does not interfere with public ingress or egress and does not pose a safety risk to the camper or to the public. It seemed to be a very broad definition. 

Additionally encampments can pop up in school yards. While they say that technically the School District has the authority to remove encampments, Seattle police are not able to enforce this, as long as the encampment is "suitable." Additionally, the School District does not have its own police force.  So when school is out for the summer, the school yards could very well become tent cities.  

References were made to University of Washington police, State Troopers, WSDOT, and Port of Seattle Police, who may be able to remove tents from the respective properties.   

The most concerning element of the entire discussion was the disregard for public comment.  And the number of emails that the Council has received regarding this ordinance is 10 - 1 opposed. Yet, they are continuing to proceed. They are blatantly choosing not to represent the interests of their constituents.  

There will be a vote tomorrow, September 28th. Given what has transpired I strongly encourage those of you who are opposed to this ordinance to make your voice heard. If the ratio is 20 to 1, 50 to 1, or 100 to 1, it will become harder and harder for the Council members to push this through.  

I believe that this legislation does not solve the problem, it only feeds the problem. There are other solutions, such as having a larger budget to manage mental health issues in the state of Washington or having a tax structure, which allows us to provide the services to the people in this state might help solve this problem.  

Simply allowing people to camp and providing them with Honey Buckets, garbage disposal services and other City services wherever they choose to call their home is not a solution to the problem. On the contrary, it will encourage migration of individuals from Snohomish, Kitsap, and Pierce counties to the city of Seattle where the services will be provided to them and they will have unlimited access to our public Commons, they need only bring their tent and sleeping bag.

Another citizen provided this letter that was recently sent to Magnuson Park tenants:

The City Council is considering legislation which could have a large effect on Magnuson Park and other areas by opening City parks and green spaces to unauthorized camping.  

Unfortunately this is already affecting Magnuson because the controversy and conflict over this policy has had a negative impact because it has allowed City staff to stop giving notice and removing camps including one at Magnuson. .

Until recently park and City policy has been to remove unauthorized camps after giving 72 hours notice, but under the proposed legislation the City would be required to give 30-days notice in most cases and at least 48 hours in cases of "clear hazard."  

A problem is that the impact of camps tends to increase and more vegetation or other infrastructure is damaged as time passes and even a few more days can make a significant difference.  There is also a tendency for camps to increase in size or draw additional campers as time goes on.  

Within Magnuson this has resulted in no notice or action for removal being taken on a new camp located about 200 feet north of NE 65th Street and about 150 feet east of 62nd Avenue NE in the north woodland of the Park's forest remnant zone. This camp has already harmed some of the work done by the hundreds of volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours to restoring the woodland over the past decade and is likely to harm more as time goes on.  

A suspicious number of bicycles of questionable origin are in the camp or concealed in vegetation nearby it. This camp is also close to the problematic parking area on 62nd Avenue NE immediately north of NE 65th St. That parking area which has been an area of concern over the past few months due to suspected drug sales or other criminal activity and some car camping impacts.  

About a month ago a vehicle from there crashed eastward through a fence and downhill into the north woodland leaving behind debris or destroyed and damaged trees and shrubs. A person who passed by while walking a dog described the debris as looking like items likely to have been stolen in smash and grab crimes.  

Keep in mind that future homeless camps won't necessarily be limited to natural areas and could be in other portions of the Park.  

If you have concerns about this proposed legislation please let City Council members know right away.  And if you have concerns about the process of removing camps from the Park having been halted please contact the Mayor.

In a memo signed by a Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole; Catherine Lester, Director of Human Services; Scott Kubly, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation and others they wrote: 

The proposed legislation does not strike the right balance and would authorize camping throughout the City of Seattle and would open City parks and green space to unauthorized camping. The practical impact of the legislation would be dramatic.  We are deeply concerned about the potential impacts of the proposed legislation.

The proposed legislation would: 

• dramatically restrict the City’s ability to address unauthorized camping on public property
  inhibit the City’s ability to address tents that block sidewalks or are in unsafe locations
• prevent the City from removing tents from school property and other public entities’ properties
  limit the City’s ability to address unauthorized tents or derelict vehicles associated with criminal activity
• cost tens of millions of dollars annually to implement
• divert resources from the programs that experts say work best to reduce homelessness
  expose the City to significant legal liability

Here are news articles on the proposed legislation: 

Mayor Murray fights City Council plan to regulate homeless camps

Mayor Murray Announces Unsanctioned Encampments Cleanup Protocols Task Force Participants, Schedule

Despite Advocates' Proposal, Mayor Convenes Task Force to Talk Some More About Homeless Sweeps

Here is contact information for City Council Members: 

Rob Johnson - sponsor of the proposal
206-684-8808
Rob.Johnson@seattle.gov and Staff member: Geri.Morris@seattle.gov
Twitter: @CMRobJohnson

Lisa Herbold
206-684-8803
lisa.herbold@seattle.gov

Bruce Harrell
206-684-8804
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov

Kshama Sawant
206-684-8016
kshama.sawant@seattle.gov


Debora Juarez
206-684-8805
debora.juarez@seattle.gov

Mike O'Brien
206-684-8800
mike.obrien@seattle.gov

Sally Bagshaw
206-684-8801
sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov

Tim Burgess
206-684-8806
tim.burgess@seattle.gov

Lorena Gonzales
206-684-8802
lorena.gonzalez@seattle.gov

UW Moving Forward With Homeless Camp

Tent City 3 file photo

(courtesy of UW)

The Laurelhurst Community Club recently published an update about the UW homeless camps in their newsletter and the chosen location:

A campus parking lot west of Brooklyn Avenue on NE Pacific Street (W35) will be the site next winter of a tent city hosting about 100 homeless people.

The Seattle Times reported: “According to the region’s annual One Night Count, this year’s estimate of people without shelter showed a 19 percent increase over last year, at more than 4,500 people.  

In her message, UW president Ana Mari Cauce said concerns and trepidation about the encampment on campus are fair and expected. ‘I only ask that we approach hosting with open minds and take this opportunity to learn from the experiences of our neighbors,’ she said.” 

LCC will continue to monitor details.

The 100 person homeless tent camp, Tent City #3, was being considered in  one of six various parking lots around the UW campus, for winter quarter of 2017.

The camps is hosted by the UW Tent City Collective comprised of a group of students, alumni and Tent City 3 residents, who have specifically asked for the homeless camp and "have been working to make hosting a reality." 

One of the lots originally considered was E-1, located at the Center for Urban Horticulture Botanical Gardens, and across from residential homes on 36th Avenue NE, 37th Avenue and NE 41st Street and which connects to Wahkiakum Lane, a heavily used pedestrian trail. .
For more information go here. 


 

UW Possibly Placing Homeless Camp In Outlying Parking Areas Next Year For 3 Months

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) would like to share with the community that the  UW is considering putting a homeless tent camp, Tent City #3, on the outskirts of their campus winter quarter of 2017, for 3 months.  

The goal is for students and faculty to have an interactive experience with their residents to build empathy.

Today from 12-2pm, in Room 250 at the HUB, there will be a public meeting to collect input/feedback in the next few weeks. 

Through April 30, neighbors can send concerns about purpose, function, safety and location and general comments to regional@uw.edu.

 

LCC said that after examining their proposed locations, with several of the on-campus sites, now ruled out, it currently appears that the tent city might actually be located specifically in these areas, which the UW says are closer to transit for their residents' convenience:

• E-1, E-18  next to Laurelhurst
• E-12 off Montlake Boulevard
• W-35  next to the  Montlake/Portage Bay neighborhood, near the stadium
• W-35, near Roosevelt Ave , near the University Bridge neighborhood

LCC says

Few details are available about any specific educational commitments or programs and no site definitely named, but there are promises of connections for student/faculty learning.   

Governance is not certain about which entity will actually be the administrator of the tent city at this time.  

The University asserts that police services would be provided by the University's patrol.   

The Tent City is independently run by their residents, and toilets and water, and cooking stoves are provided, although no showers.   

Their residents are screened for sex offender clearance as well.   

During daytime, residents must be out of the tent doing productive work, or working on site for the encampment's needs.   

SPU, (Seattle Pacific University), a smaller faith based university, hosted a smaller tent city last year as part of their school's religious mission. It was located on their main quad for student involvement and building awareness.

 

 

Below is information from the UW and here is a recent post in MyNorthwest.com.

 

 

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff, Our city is facing a crisis. Thousands of our neighbors are forced to make their homes in doorways or under bridges since they lack affordable housing. Consistent with our public mission, the University of Washington has been seeking solutions to the homelessness crisis through scholarship and service. But we have an opportunity to do more. Earlier this year, I commissioned a working group to assess the feasibility of hosting an organized tent city encampment on the Seattle campus for 90 days during the 2017 winter quarter. Tent cities are by no means a permanent answer for homelessness, but they do provide a safe place for residents to live as they seek stable housing. This working group met with representatives from Tent City 3, Seattle city government, community organizations and members of the Tent City Collective, as well as with colleagues from Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University, both of which hosted Tent City 3 on their campuses and found hosting to be a valuable educational experience for their students. I want to single out the Tent City Collective for particular praise. Its members, which include UW students, alumni and Tent City 3 residents, have been steadfast advocates for our neighbors facing homelessness. They have also made many connections with faculty and departments eager to incorporate service learning into their curricula via the opportunities hosting an encampment would present. The conclusion of the working group is that hosting an encampment is feasible, provided that we have community support; connect with an experienced, responsible organizer; make a decision early enough for faculty to incorporate relevant service learning into their curricula; and have detailed plans for security, safety, health and sanitation to ensure the well-being of residents and community members. Participation in UW activities related to hosting would be voluntary for our students, just as they would be for encampment residents. I am now seeking your feedback on whether the UW should step forward and host Tent City 3 — which has an extensive track record and clear code of conduct for residents — during the 2017 winter quarter. No taxpayer or tuition funds would be used to host the encampment, which would be limited to no more than 100 residents. There are several locations under consideration, which you can view on the Regional and Community Relations site.  You can also share your thoughts by emailing regional@uw.edu. The goal is to make a decision by the end of the academic year in order to provide time for logistical and curricular planning. Service to our community is central to our mission, as is providing students with experiences that help them become educated, engaged citizens. Informed feedback from the campus community and from nearby residents and businesses is vital as we consider whether to host Tent City 3, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Sincerely, Ana Mari Cauce President Professor of Psychology