Update 2:50 pm

Nucor Steel in West Seattle has been suffering from a nearly non-stop number of break-ins and thefts related to the RV's parked on Andover Street just outside their south fence. WestsideSeattle news partner Q13 Fox News reported this morning:

A spokesperson for the council got back to Q13 Fox News Wednesday night

They shared an email exchange between Herbold's office and a constituent who was concerned about the same RV encampment.

 In the email, the office explained that the 72 hour parking ordinance was suspended due to the pandemic. They say Herbold raised concerns with an SPD captain noting the reports of criminal activity that people have shared with her. 

In another part of the email, Herbold's office said this.

"Councilmember Herbold has long advocated for the City to establish RV safe lots, where RV owners may safely park their vehicles and access services. In June, Councilmember Herbold joined her colleagues in approving the Seattle Rescue Plan, which included $500,000 to establish a pilot safe lot program. CM Herbold sponsored a successful amendment that expands the use of that funding, so that the City can safely store RVs for owners who accept referrals into shelter or housing. Folks living in RVs may worry that their RV could be stolen, impounded or fall into disrepair if they accept a referral into shelter or housing that would require them to leave it behind. Storing their RV temporarily while they move indoors can help those who fear losing their biggest asset, which has also doubled as a safe and secure home. Unfortunately the Executive branch of city government hasn’t implemented this."

Update 11:35am

 Dana Robinson Slote, Director of Communication for the Seattle City Council said:

"Having consulted with the Herbold office, it’s my understanding that she has responded to other neighbors about the RVs and enforcement of the 72-hour rule at this location 

Councilmember Herbold has spoken repeatedly to SPD SW Precinct Captain Grossman about this area, and reports of illegal activities there.SPD assures us that they can and do address violence and illegal activity occurring in areas of tent encampments or in vehicles encampments, just as they would in any other home or building.  Here’s one  example: Police Arrest Three in Pioneer Square, Seize Narcotics, Gun, Cash.

 

Reader Mark Schulstad reached out to Councilmember Herbold's office too and got a reply regarding the lack of enforcement of the 72 hour parking rule, garbage and crime. 

Aldrich Newell, an aide to the Councilmember replied:

"Enforcement of the 72-hour parking law was suspended due to the COVID pandemic; in March the Mayor issued a press release about COVID 19 restrictions that noted “As more businesses are reopening, SDOT is developing a plan to reinstate the 72-hour parking ordinance that will be back in effect starting April 1, 2021.”

That timetable was not met. In late June, Councilmember Herbold discussed this with SW Precinct Captain Grossman, and it appeared the program could resume in coming weeks.As an executive branch function, the Council does not have a decision making role in when this program re-starts. The website no longer states the program is suspended.

Councilmember Herbold raised this with Captain Grossman, and it appears the Mayor’s Office was waiting for a decision by the state supreme court on homesteading. Councilmember Herbold again spoke to Captain Grossman about this earlier this month, and he indicated the Mayor’s Office is working with the City Attorney’s Office on enforcement of the 72 hour parking ordinance. Councilmember Herbold also noted the reports of criminal activity constituents have shared regarding Andover.

You may want to contact the Mayor, who has executive authority over city departments.

While the City has not been enforcing the 72-hour parking law during the COVID pandemic, it is important to note that the decision to limit enforcement of this law towards people living in their vehicles predates the COVID19 moratorium. Before the enactment of the 72-hour parking law moratorium, SPD had been using discretion, and generally only enforcing the law against people living in their vehicles after outreach and referral efforts and generally focused on area selected for the RV remediation program. In 2019, 93% of all RVs/vehicles encountered left voluntarily to allow for safe clean-up of areas with problematic RVs and vehicles in the City right-of-way.

If the person appears to be having a mental health crisis, you can call Crisis Connections’ 24-hour Crisis Line. This hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Volunteers and staff can help assess the situation, problem solve, and make appropriate referrals. The Crisis Line can link residents to emergency mental health services or other services. You can reach the Crisis Line at 1.866.4CRISIS (427.4747), 206.461.3222, or 711 WA Relay.

Councilmember Herbold has long advocated for the City to establish RV safe lots, where RV owners may safely park their vehicles and access services. In June, Councilmember Herbold joined her colleagues in approving the Seattle Rescue Plan, which included $500,000 to establish a pilot safe lot program. CM Herbold sponsored a successful amendment that expands the use of that funding, so that the City can safely store RVs for owners who accept referrals into shelter or housing. Folks living in RVs may worry that their RV could be stolen, impounded or fall into disrepair if they accept a referral into shelter or housing that would require them to leave it behind. Storing their RV temporarily while they move indoors can help those who fear losing their biggest asset, which has also doubled as a safe and secure home. Unfortunately the Executive branch of city government hasn’t implemented this.

SPD can enforce laws, so please report illegal activities.

There are three ways to file a complaint regarding garbage that you mention:

•                         online: Service Request Form

•                         mobile: Find It, Fix It mobile app

•                         phone: 206-684-2489 (CITY)

 

Sincerely,

Newell Aldrich

Aide to Councilmember Herbold 

 

Original post 7:30am

Westside Seattle news partner Q13Fox News reports that Nucor Steel has been dealing with a serious security issue caused by the residents of the RV's parked just to the south of the fence on SW Andover Street.

Management at Nucor say that break-ins, thefts and harassment are constant

Q13's report says:

"Nucor Steel’s security team is spending a lot of their time inspecting the fencing on the south side of the mill’s property.

For more than a year now, they say some people living at the encampment bordering their fence have been cutting hole after hole into the fence and breaking in.

Nucor says it has happened more than a dozen times.

"They’ve taken propane tanks, copper parts that can be sold," General Manager Matt Lyons said.

From theft to harassment, Lyons is constantly worried about the safety of the hundreds who work at the West Seattle plant."

 

Q13's report says that Nucor has reached out to Mayor Jenny Durkan and District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold.

Nucor says the response so far has been benign and disappointing. They are referred to SPD or the Find it, Fix it app.

"We feel like we’ve made every effort to contact the city," Jablonski said.

"It doesn’t seem very helpful," Lyons said.

They are looking for a long-term solution because in the short term, they’ve called SPD dozens of times. 

FOX 13 News reached out to the city council for comment but did not get a response. 

The Mayor’s Office says the pandemic has led to an increased visibility of homelessness in every neighborhood. A spokesperson for Durkan released a statement and it reads in part: 

"With an estimated 4,000 people living outdoors, including in vehicles and RVs, the City of Seattle simply cannot solve this crisis alone. As we move forward with the ramp-up of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, new programs and initiatives will be developed to help address these complex challenges as a region. Including Mayor’s 2022 proposed budget investments, the City of Seattle will have invested over $337 million over a two-year period on strategies to address homelessness and our investment only scratches the surface of the level of need. We need significant and continued investment from our partners across all levels of government to address this regional problem, that has substantial impacts on our city, at the scale and scope required. 

As part of the 2022 budget, Mayor Durkan has proposed ongoing funding to engage RV dwellers to solicit their voluntary compliance removing belongings, and debris from public rights-of-way, to facilitate trash removal around vehicles and if necessary, manage the storage of personal belongings. This is in addition to the ongoing work of the RV remediation and purple bag encampment trash removal programs, and wastewater disposal ongoing for more than a year at this site."