I was only a teenager but I still remember the event quite clearly. I was running some errands in downtown Providence and figured I could catch a ride home from my father who worked nearby. The elevator to my dad's parking garage was located next to a small donut shop so, having been walking around all day, I sat on the ground next to the elevator and waited for my dad to arrive.
A woman sprang out of the donut shop in near-hysteria and told me that I couldn't sit down in front of the elevator- although she never really told me why I couldn't. For many years I just figured the woman was an up-tight East Coast person.
Sometimes in the summer I would visit my cousin out West, first in Santa Barbara and then in Seattle where people were less up-tight, more layback and relaxed. One of my first Seattle moments was going on the Pioneer Square underground tour in the early `80's. The tour guide pointed out ``our neighbors'' and the tourists waved to the people who were hanging out in the square. The people who would be called ``bums'' back East.
Of course, the Seattle establishment isn't as friendly towards the homeless these days (chances are those who hung out in Pioneer Square 25 years ago weren't homeless but lived in the downtown single unit houses that have long since disappeared). Heck, some in the Pioneer Square Neighborhood Association don't want Real Change moving there.
On Wednesday, the Seattle City Council Public Safety Committee will vote on Council Member Tim Burgess's Panhandling Ordinance. (see more details on the bill below). The bill has to get out of committee to even be voted on by the full Council. There are rumors that Council Member Nick Licata might block the bill and Real Change hopes to have a large contingent in attendance. Anyone interested should arrive about 9:00am.
There are already sufficient laws on the books to deal with people who are harassing their fellow citizens. This bill appears to be nothing more than another step towards criminalize the homeless. I urge anyone who feels this way and wants to take a stand towards ``a more uptight Seattle'' to attend Wednesday's meeting.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Criminalizing the homeless
My friend Henry and I used to joke about how there's no real aggressive panhandling in Seattle. Even the panhandlers tend to be polite compared to other cities. Years ago, I was followed four blocks by a panhandler in New York City something you'd never see in nice Seattle.
Nevertheless, City Council member Tim Burgess has introduced a new ordinance to put stronger restrictions on aggressive panhandling. It defines aggressive solicitation ``as acting in an intimidating way while asking someone for money.'' That includes blocking someone while asking for money, using abusive language and panhandling near ATMs and parking pay stations.
This doesn't quite make sense for several reasons:
Burgess made his proposal in conjunction with the statement that serious crime has gone up 23 percent in Seattle since 2008. But even Burgess isn't claiming that all the serious crime is being committed by panhandlers.
There are already laws on the books against so-called ``aggressive panhandling.'' I've been told by people who live downtown that tourists tend to be a bigger pain in the ass than the homeless. To make another law only succeeds in criminalizing the homeless.
The ordinance that Burgess is proposing carries a $50 fine. If someone's asking for money, chances are they don't have $50. (This could also make the law less likely to be enforced by police).
Burgess is attempting to be the kinder, gentler Mark Sidran, the former City Attorney who was in the forefront of anti-homeless laws in the `90's. Burgess says he wants panhandlers to get help, whether it's for alcoholism or mental disorders, admitting in the next breath that social services will continue to be cut in Seattle.
Of course, what the panhandlers really need is money. And speaking of money, I'm reminded of a line that Tim Harris wrote in Real Change about a year ago, ``hide the homeless, the rich people are coming.'' The catalyst for Burgess' action comes from the complaints of the well-to-do, particularly the condo owners who have been told by the rich yuppies (that they want to move into their complexes) that said yuppies don't want to look at poor people.
The City Council will start holding hearings on the proposed ordinance starting on March 17. Stay tuned.
Nevertheless, City Council member Tim Burgess has introduced a new ordinance to put stronger restrictions on aggressive panhandling. It defines aggressive solicitation ``as acting in an intimidating way while asking someone for money.'' That includes blocking someone while asking for money, using abusive language and panhandling near ATMs and parking pay stations.
This doesn't quite make sense for several reasons:
Burgess made his proposal in conjunction with the statement that serious crime has gone up 23 percent in Seattle since 2008. But even Burgess isn't claiming that all the serious crime is being committed by panhandlers.
There are already laws on the books against so-called ``aggressive panhandling.'' I've been told by people who live downtown that tourists tend to be a bigger pain in the ass than the homeless. To make another law only succeeds in criminalizing the homeless.
The ordinance that Burgess is proposing carries a $50 fine. If someone's asking for money, chances are they don't have $50. (This could also make the law less likely to be enforced by police).
Burgess is attempting to be the kinder, gentler Mark Sidran, the former City Attorney who was in the forefront of anti-homeless laws in the `90's. Burgess says he wants panhandlers to get help, whether it's for alcoholism or mental disorders, admitting in the next breath that social services will continue to be cut in Seattle.
Of course, what the panhandlers really need is money. And speaking of money, I'm reminded of a line that Tim Harris wrote in Real Change about a year ago, ``hide the homeless, the rich people are coming.'' The catalyst for Burgess' action comes from the complaints of the well-to-do, particularly the condo owners who have been told by the rich yuppies (that they want to move into their complexes) that said yuppies don't want to look at poor people.
The City Council will start holding hearings on the proposed ordinance starting on March 17. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Latest from Nickelsville
I took the liberty of reprinting a letter that Scott Morrow sent out about meeting with Phil Fujii from the Mayor's Office on Monday. This is certainly an improvement from where Nickelsville was with the former Mayor.
>
> Greetings Friend of Nickelsville!
>
> We hope this Alert finds you well, and that it tells you two things:
> Firstly, what happened at our meeting Monday with Seattle Mayor Mike
> McGinn’s Deputy Mayor of Operations – Mr. Phil Fujii - and secondly
> how things are going since our recent move to Greater Mt. Baker
> Missionary Baptist Church.
>
> Eight Nickelodeons – including oldtimers and newcomers, past campers
> and present, staff and supporters, young and old, – presented our case
> to Mr. Fujii. Here it is:
>
> The Nickelodeons want to meet directly with the Mayor. After being
> treated as second class citizens by the former Mayor, a change of
> policy in this area is badly needed. Mayor McGinn and Nickelsville
> should meet and become powerful friends and allies: We both want to
> do more with less, and we both want to engage and empower. Meeting
> with the Mayor is a crucial way to begin working together.
>
> Our goal is a permanent site in the City of Seattle for up to 1,000
> homeless people, and we understand that we need to make a deal among
> friends for this to succeed. Our deadline is May 5th, when we move
> from Mt. Baker Missionary Baptist to a permanent site.
>
> Mr. Fujii said that he had been anointed by the Mayor to work with
> us. He was hoping the Mayor could drop by for a minute and meet us,
> but unfortunately he was double-booked. He said the Mayor wanted to
> work something out. Mr. Al Poole, from the Human Services Department,
> has been delegated the responsibility to bring together an
> Interdepartmental City Meeting, and figure out if the city could work
> with Nickelsville.
>
> You may recall that Mayor Nickels never would meet with us, or respond
> to our letters. What’s more, when we tried to seek an appointment,
> they turned off the elevator and locked the stairwells on us so we
> couldn’t get to his office!
>
> Compared to that, the meeting with Mr. Fujii was huge progress. Our
> friends at SHARE – who we expect will be with us at the meeting with
> the Mayor – have worked with Mr. Fujii when he was at Vulcan. Not
> only was he a straight shooter there, but he got things done. He
> understood how a poor people’s organization worked, and was
> encouraging and respectful. So we have hope.
>
> PLEASE WRITE MAYOR MCGINN AND THANK HIM FOR THE PREPARATORY MEETING
> WITH DEPUTY MAYOR FUJII. ENCOURAGE MAYOR MCGINN TO MEET WITH US AND
> OUR SUPPORTERS, SO THAT WE CAN ALL SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE
> INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE AND QUICKLY REMOVE ANY ROADBLOCKS THEY
> MIGHT ENCOUNTER!
>
> Now here’s the Second Part of the Update:
>
> The move from New Hope Missionary Baptist Church to Greater Mt Baker
> Baptist Church went well! The camp’s population is around 60 and
> needs more tents, blankets and tarps to expand. Neighbors have been
> very friendly.
>
> Here are the donations we particularly need this week:
>
> --Funds for dumpster, porta potties, and cell phones. These costs are
> over $2,000 a month, and we’ve fallen behind again! Please DON’T ruin
> your own credit rating helping us. Please DO get the groups you are a
> member of to start helping us, and tell sympathetic friends of our
> need.
>
> --We’re out of Tents! The new site is a little bigger than the old
> site, plus tents have a limited life span anyway. Other building
> materials are also needed, especially pallets and plywood, nails,
> tarps of different sizes, also sleeping bags and blankets, firewood,
> propane for cooking grills, rope and duct tape.
>
> Thank You for your help with the upkeep and building of Nickelsville,
> as we work toward getting our permanent site.
>
> CONTACT INFORMATION:
>
> Mayor Mike McGinn
> Deputy Mayor of Operations Phil Fujii
> P.O. Box 94749
> Seattle, WA 98124-4749
>
> Mike.Mcginn@seattle.gov
> phil.fujii@seattle.gov
>
> Send Copies of Correspondence to
>
> Nickelsville
> P.O. Box 2548
> Seattle, WA 98111
>
> scott@nickelsvilleseattle.org
>
> Nickelsville is presently located at Mt. Baker Missionary Baptist
> Church. It is on South Jackson Street, at the SW Corner of 25th &
> Jackson. The camp is on the far south end of their property, on S.
> King and 25th.
>
> The Camp Phone # is 450-5268. The Staff Phone # is 450-9136.
>
> DON’T BE A STRANGER!
>
>
>
> Greetings Friend of Nickelsville!
>
> We hope this Alert finds you well, and that it tells you two things:
> Firstly, what happened at our meeting Monday with Seattle Mayor Mike
> McGinn’s Deputy Mayor of Operations – Mr. Phil Fujii - and secondly
> how things are going since our recent move to Greater Mt. Baker
> Missionary Baptist Church.
>
> Eight Nickelodeons – including oldtimers and newcomers, past campers
> and present, staff and supporters, young and old, – presented our case
> to Mr. Fujii. Here it is:
>
> The Nickelodeons want to meet directly with the Mayor. After being
> treated as second class citizens by the former Mayor, a change of
> policy in this area is badly needed. Mayor McGinn and Nickelsville
> should meet and become powerful friends and allies: We both want to
> do more with less, and we both want to engage and empower. Meeting
> with the Mayor is a crucial way to begin working together.
>
> Our goal is a permanent site in the City of Seattle for up to 1,000
> homeless people, and we understand that we need to make a deal among
> friends for this to succeed. Our deadline is May 5th, when we move
> from Mt. Baker Missionary Baptist to a permanent site.
>
> Mr. Fujii said that he had been anointed by the Mayor to work with
> us. He was hoping the Mayor could drop by for a minute and meet us,
> but unfortunately he was double-booked. He said the Mayor wanted to
> work something out. Mr. Al Poole, from the Human Services Department,
> has been delegated the responsibility to bring together an
> Interdepartmental City Meeting, and figure out if the city could work
> with Nickelsville.
>
> You may recall that Mayor Nickels never would meet with us, or respond
> to our letters. What’s more, when we tried to seek an appointment,
> they turned off the elevator and locked the stairwells on us so we
> couldn’t get to his office!
>
> Compared to that, the meeting with Mr. Fujii was huge progress. Our
> friends at SHARE – who we expect will be with us at the meeting with
> the Mayor – have worked with Mr. Fujii when he was at Vulcan. Not
> only was he a straight shooter there, but he got things done. He
> understood how a poor people’s organization worked, and was
> encouraging and respectful. So we have hope.
>
> PLEASE WRITE MAYOR MCGINN AND THANK HIM FOR THE PREPARATORY MEETING
> WITH DEPUTY MAYOR FUJII. ENCOURAGE MAYOR MCGINN TO MEET WITH US AND
> OUR SUPPORTERS, SO THAT WE CAN ALL SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE
> INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE AND QUICKLY REMOVE ANY ROADBLOCKS THEY
> MIGHT ENCOUNTER!
>
> Now here’s the Second Part of the Update:
>
> The move from New Hope Missionary Baptist Church to Greater Mt Baker
> Baptist Church went well! The camp’s population is around 60 and
> needs more tents, blankets and tarps to expand. Neighbors have been
> very friendly.
>
> Here are the donations we particularly need this week:
>
> --Funds for dumpster, porta potties, and cell phones. These costs are
> over $2,000 a month, and we’ve fallen behind again! Please DON’T ruin
> your own credit rating helping us. Please DO get the groups you are a
> member of to start helping us, and tell sympathetic friends of our
> need.
>
> --We’re out of Tents! The new site is a little bigger than the old
> site, plus tents have a limited life span anyway. Other building
> materials are also needed, especially pallets and plywood, nails,
> tarps of different sizes, also sleeping bags and blankets, firewood,
> propane for cooking grills, rope and duct tape.
>
> Thank You for your help with the upkeep and building of Nickelsville,
> as we work toward getting our permanent site.
>
> CONTACT INFORMATION:
>
> Mayor Mike McGinn
> Deputy Mayor of Operations Phil Fujii
> P.O. Box 94749
> Seattle, WA 98124-4749
>
> Mike.Mcginn@seattle.gov
> phil.fujii@seattle.gov
>
> Send Copies of Correspondence to
>
> Nickelsville
> P.O. Box 2548
> Seattle, WA 98111
>
> scott@nickelsvilleseattle.org
>
> Nickelsville is presently located at Mt. Baker Missionary Baptist
> Church. It is on South Jackson Street, at the SW Corner of 25th &
> Jackson. The camp is on the far south end of their property, on S.
> King and 25th.
>
> The Camp Phone # is 450-5268. The Staff Phone # is 450-9136.
>
> DON’T BE A STRANGER!
>
>
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Nickelsville, Day One
``I'm a homeowner now.''
That was the gleeful exclamation of a Nickelsville resident after hammering in the final nail to set up his new tent at Nickelsville's (tenth) newest site. There was some humor in the statement but one more member of Seattle's homeless community could sleep with something over his head.
It's been a long and ongoing journey for the homeless encampment named after former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Fortunately, several of the original residents who made camp in South Park almost a year and a half ago have found housing. But the Nickelodeons who put up tents at the Greater Baptist Church on 2425 S. Jackson St. represent only about 60 of the 3,000 plus homeless in the greater Seattle area.
As the campers, who now include several couples and even a couple of dogs set up camp, Richard, one of the original Nickelodeons questioned whether things are much better with Nickels out of office.
``We want to talk to the new Mayor (Mike McGinn) about finding a permanent place for Nickelsville,'' said Richard. ``We talked to him once, before he took office, but since then...''
The latest Nickelsville site is a little larger than there previous home at New Hope Chuch but still much too small for Nickelsville to reach its ultimate goal of 1,000 campers. Without a permanent residence, Nickelsville will probably just move to another temporary home in 90 days.
Throughout its existence Nickelsville has relied on the kindness of strangers to keep going. Currently on the wish list are bottled water, blankets, nails, and 7x7,
8x8 tents.
Visit Nickelsville behind the Greater Mt. Baptist Church, one block East of 23rd Ave. in the Central District.
That was the gleeful exclamation of a Nickelsville resident after hammering in the final nail to set up his new tent at Nickelsville's (tenth) newest site. There was some humor in the statement but one more member of Seattle's homeless community could sleep with something over his head.
It's been a long and ongoing journey for the homeless encampment named after former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Fortunately, several of the original residents who made camp in South Park almost a year and a half ago have found housing. But the Nickelodeons who put up tents at the Greater Baptist Church on 2425 S. Jackson St. represent only about 60 of the 3,000 plus homeless in the greater Seattle area.
As the campers, who now include several couples and even a couple of dogs set up camp, Richard, one of the original Nickelodeons questioned whether things are much better with Nickels out of office.
``We want to talk to the new Mayor (Mike McGinn) about finding a permanent place for Nickelsville,'' said Richard. ``We talked to him once, before he took office, but since then...''
The latest Nickelsville site is a little larger than there previous home at New Hope Chuch but still much too small for Nickelsville to reach its ultimate goal of 1,000 campers. Without a permanent residence, Nickelsville will probably just move to another temporary home in 90 days.
Throughout its existence Nickelsville has relied on the kindness of strangers to keep going. Currently on the wish list are bottled water, blankets, nails, and 7x7,
8x8 tents.
Visit Nickelsville behind the Greater Mt. Baptist Church, one block East of 23rd Ave. in the Central District.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Are things getting better???
The past few years have been tumultuous for Seattle's homeless community. First, there were the homeless encampment sweeps; the formation of Nickelsville, which was chased around the city, a scenario that would be funny if it wasn't disgusting; and some Nickelsville supporters were even arrested and headed for trial before City Attorney Tom Carr wisely aborted the case. It's no wonder homeless advocates let out a sigh of relief the day Mayor Greg Nickels left office.
But are things really any better? The Parks and Recreation Department has come up with a code of conduct that could be approved next month. The new code could give city employers the right to scoop backpacks or other personal items left unattended. Plus, there are provisions against blocking entrances and walkways that could be widely interpreted to make parks less welcoming to the homeless.
Then there was the recent one-night count of the homeless. A total of 2,759 homeless were counted on the streets by volunteers from 2 to 6 AM on Jan. 29.
The Seattle Times trumpeted that homelessness is down five percent. But who really knows? Apparently, sweeps did take place just before the one-night stand. More shelters have opened and people might have been a little better hiding out this year.
Have we reached a point where a certain amount of homelessness is accepted. Next we'll be hearing that it's good news that the homeless rate only went up five percent this year instead of ten.
No, a change of Mayors isn't going to solve all of our problems.
But are things really any better? The Parks and Recreation Department has come up with a code of conduct that could be approved next month. The new code could give city employers the right to scoop backpacks or other personal items left unattended. Plus, there are provisions against blocking entrances and walkways that could be widely interpreted to make parks less welcoming to the homeless.
Then there was the recent one-night count of the homeless. A total of 2,759 homeless were counted on the streets by volunteers from 2 to 6 AM on Jan. 29.
The Seattle Times trumpeted that homelessness is down five percent. But who really knows? Apparently, sweeps did take place just before the one-night stand. More shelters have opened and people might have been a little better hiding out this year.
Have we reached a point where a certain amount of homelessness is accepted. Next we'll be hearing that it's good news that the homeless rate only went up five percent this year instead of ten.
No, a change of Mayors isn't going to solve all of our problems.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
New sheriff in town
New City Attorney Peter Holmes has received some attention recently for his statements about not prosecuting marijuana users. But on Thursday night we got the opportunity to ask (one of) Seattle's newest public officials about his views on Nickelsville, Tent Cities, sweeps of homeless ecampments and the city's take on homeless issues.
``I believe Nickelsville - if it's still called that- should have a permanent home. Homelessness is a problem that's not going away.'' Holmes was speaking at Night Cap, a new feature sponsored by Town Hall. Josh Feit and Erica C. Barnett from Publicola took the stage with Holmes, who's been in office all of two weeks.
On the surface it appears that Holmes and Mayor Mike McGinn are taking a more laissez-faire approach to things than their predecessors- former Mayor Greg Nickels and City Attorney Tom Carr. But while Holmes and McGinn haven't declared war on the homeless it sounds like the city will take action if neighbors complain about a homeless site.
``The mayor's office has a system if neighbors complain,'' Holmes explained. ``People will get a warning and no property will be destroyed. There's a handbook that the city uses that was put together with the help of the ACLU and homeless organizations. There are safeguards to protect belongings from being destroyed.'' Holmes added that no one has complained to his office about homeless camps in the two weeks he's been in office.
Of course, it will be the Mayor who'll set the agenda for how the city of Seattle deals with the homeless. However, Holmes said that he's looking forward to the city renewing its' agreement with Tent City 3 and said that he will take part in the one-night homeless count that takes place at the end of January.
``I believe Nickelsville - if it's still called that- should have a permanent home. Homelessness is a problem that's not going away.'' Holmes was speaking at Night Cap, a new feature sponsored by Town Hall. Josh Feit and Erica C. Barnett from Publicola took the stage with Holmes, who's been in office all of two weeks.
On the surface it appears that Holmes and Mayor Mike McGinn are taking a more laissez-faire approach to things than their predecessors- former Mayor Greg Nickels and City Attorney Tom Carr. But while Holmes and McGinn haven't declared war on the homeless it sounds like the city will take action if neighbors complain about a homeless site.
``The mayor's office has a system if neighbors complain,'' Holmes explained. ``People will get a warning and no property will be destroyed. There's a handbook that the city uses that was put together with the help of the ACLU and homeless organizations. There are safeguards to protect belongings from being destroyed.'' Holmes added that no one has complained to his office about homeless camps in the two weeks he's been in office.
Of course, it will be the Mayor who'll set the agenda for how the city of Seattle deals with the homeless. However, Holmes said that he's looking forward to the city renewing its' agreement with Tent City 3 and said that he will take part in the one-night homeless count that takes place at the end of January.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Rally for Basic Health
While Governor Christine Gregoire will be giving her ``State of the State'' message next Tuesday (Jan 12) in Olympia a group called Sisters Organize for Survival will hold a State of Emergency Rally for Basic Health. As part of a campaign to defend the state Basic Health Plan, S.O.S will rally on the capitol steps while Gregoire addresses the legislature. S.O.S is calling for the reversal of cuts to Basic Health and other life-and-death services by instituting a tax on the wealthy and cooperate profits. The group also has over 3,000 signatures supporting Basic Health to be hand-delivered to elected officials that day.
Washington state has the most regressive taxes in the country. With a state sales tax system, the poorest pay 17 percent of their income in taxes and the rich only three percent. When a person earns their second million dollars it's untaxed; financial consultants are untaxed. S.O.S supports a progressive income tax. ``Basic Health along with other social services and public education could be funded by taxing the profits of the largest corporations and the incomes of the state's wealthiest -including the tens of thousnads of millionaires who reside here,'' says Gina Petry, S.O.S. coordinator.
For anyone wishing to travel to Olympia next Tuesday, carpools will leave from New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. at 9:00am. For more information call (206) 722-6057, http://www.savebasichealth.org/. Donations welcome.
Washington state has the most regressive taxes in the country. With a state sales tax system, the poorest pay 17 percent of their income in taxes and the rich only three percent. When a person earns their second million dollars it's untaxed; financial consultants are untaxed. S.O.S supports a progressive income tax. ``Basic Health along with other social services and public education could be funded by taxing the profits of the largest corporations and the incomes of the state's wealthiest -including the tens of thousnads of millionaires who reside here,'' says Gina Petry, S.O.S. coordinator.
For anyone wishing to travel to Olympia next Tuesday, carpools will leave from New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S. at 9:00am. For more information call (206) 722-6057, http://www.savebasichealth.org/. Donations welcome.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)