Neighbors' Responses Regarding Person Recently Asleep At Waterway 1 Basketball Court

The Laurelhurst Blog received these responses regarding yesterday's post about a young man sleeping on the basketball court at Waterway 1:
 
 

To the neighbor who happened by the young man lying on the basketball court, who asked "Should we call into Police non emergency and ask for medical aid?"  Yes. Make that call to 911 if you are concerned.  I was walking the dog one cool, rainy night and found myself in exactly the same situation.  I found a young man (teen?) lying on a sidewalk who had vomited. He was incoherent and not dressed for the cold night. I was concerned that he might be at risk of toxic overdose and of exposure to the cold, so I called 911 and asked for medical response.  The 911 operator thanked me for making the call, and assured me that they do want to be called when someone's safety appears to be at risk.  It's a tough call, but someone who is lying outdoors and who is incoherent, might need urgent attention for an overdose, a stroke, a head injury (our neighbor described a man with a skateboard) or some other medical emergency. It would be devastating to ignore a situation like that and later learn that a neighbor family had lost someone do to head injury, overdose (or whatever).  Every minute might matter.  Call 911 if you are concerned. 

Call the police. It's illegal to camp there, and as you noted he was likely coming down off of a drug of some kind. Given the rash of property crimes in the neighborhood we need to react promptly to incidents like this and make it clear that Laurelhurst isn't a place to crash and that folks are paying attention.

I saw him too and did not know what to do. I did make sure he was moving, but I had my two nephews with me, so that is all I did. By the time I got back down to see him, he was up and moving on. I was planning on calling the police so that they could check on his well-being/possibly get him help. I felt sorry for him, not at all threatened and felt rotten for just passing him by the first time.  

In response to our neighbor's question about how to respond to this type of incident, by calling 9-1-1 you follow the Good Samaritan Law in Washington state AND relieve yourself of moral duty (you're most likely not a medical professional who could assess the situation medically).   Thanks for reporting this situation in our neighborhood and opening up a discussion of Good Samaritan Laws and First Aid Response in Washington and here are a few websites of interest with further information regarding this topic:

• CPR Seattle- The Good Samaritan Law:  
• Washington’s 911 Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Law: Initial Evaluation Results Nov. 2011
• StopOverdose.org

 

Neighbor Encounters Person Sleeping On Basketball Court At Waterway 1

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

On Monday, September 19, while on my morning walk, I came across a young man at Waterway 1, where the basketball court is, who appeared to be nodding out on drugs.  

He was curled up on the basketball court with a dark blue hoodie pulled over his head, his shoes were off and his skateboard was by his side. I didn't know how to react and was unsettled by his behavior.  

I began to hurry by but then, my neighborly and motherly instincts kicked in as I was worried for his well being. I stopped and called out to him a couple of times, just a "Hey, how are you doing? Can I help in any way?" There was no response, so I asked again. He slowly lifted his hand with a thumbs up signal so I walked on feeling helpless.  

I saw a neighbor a few doors down in his driveway and stopped to share my account and get his opinion on what should be done. He listened politely and said that he would check in with him in a few minutes to reassess the situation.  I was comforted to know that other neighbors were around and were interested in helping, but was left feeling a bit alarmed in not knowing what I could do to help this young man.   

I am not sure what the outcome was with the young man.  He didn't look like the guy that has been seen and sometimes sleeps in the Park. This person was a bit too tidy and had different behavior.  

I guess what was really alarming to me was my indecision on what to do for help. Should we call into Police non emergency and ask for medical aid?  I'm not sure of the rights of individuals to nod off or sleep/camp in public spaces. I would like to be directed to a sight that might help me gain current knowledge on the best practices to help " neighbors in need"?

Dead Seal or Otter At Waterway 1

 

 

 



The Laurelhurst Blog has received many emails about what looks like a deceased seal or otter at Waterway 1 located at the corner of 43rd Avenue NE and NE 35th Streets.

Readers said:

The carcass looks as if it a sea otter, which most likely came through the Ballard locks and maybe went into shock and died from not being in the correct water environment, changing from the Puget Sound water to the Lake Washington water.  The area has a very strong odor and hopefully the appropriate agency will remove the decaying carcass. 

Very unlikely to be a sea otter, as I believe the nearest ones are out beyond the San de Fuca strait. Puget Sound otters tend to be river otters. Judging from the photo, it is more likely a seal, or seal pup. 

It does not look like a sea lion for sure nor much like any kind of otter. It could be a seal.

 

To report a stranded, injured or dead marine mammal go here. 

Long ago, Waterway 1, was used as a boat launch for one of Seattle’s mosquito fleet ferries, the Laurelhurst Launch, which shuttled passengers from Laurelhurst to Madison Park and back. 

Now it is a small park as well as public access point to the waterfront. The property is owned by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and regulated by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Why Is There A New Fence At Waterway 1?



 

The Laurelhurst Blog Staff has received several emails about the black fence at Waterway 1, at the corner of 43rd Avenue NE and NE 35th Street,  that appeared recently.

One neighbor emailed:

What's up with the shoreline fence at waterway one? A temporary fence was put up a few weeks ago.  

There is no signage indicating its purpose, and it's starting to fall down and look junky.

 

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) said about the fence:

It is our understanding that it is just temporary to prevent the newly installed silt from falling into the lake.    

The temporary fence is a requirement for undertaking work on the shoreline.

 

Waterway #1 was used long ago as a boat launch for one of Seattle’s mosquito fleet ferries, the Laurelhurst Launch, which shuttled folks from Laurelhurst to Madison Park and back. 

"Now it is a rare and treasured public access point to the waterfront where people can go to observe nature, walk dogs, launch non-motorized boats and play basketball," LCC said. 

The property is owned by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and regulated by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Go here for more information on Waterway 1.

Another Lost Paddle Left At Waterway 1

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

Last Thursday we left behind a black stand up paddle at Waterway 1 by the basketball courts where the open lot is that people can access the water. The brand is Riviera but has the name Jimmy on it.

 

Please contact laurelhurstblogger@gmail.com if you have information.
.