[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified resident. It represents the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of South King Media or its staff.]
Dear Editor & Burien voters,
As a resident of Burien’s Town Square, I was reflecting recently on how things have changed here in the last couple of years. Two years ago, we were living in what the Police called a “Hot Zone.” Drug dealers, sex traffickers, overdose deaths, mentally ill people who desperately needed help, and more roamed the streets and sidewalks. Some disabled people had to walk in the street because the sidewalks were taken up with tents. Residents were afraid to do errands and even go to the library.
There were people who condoned and aided this mayhem.
Long story short, it took a lot of work to get back to a safer city; especially downtown. Many people have since been helped by service organizations. The streets are safer and cleaner and my life hasn’t been threatened recently.
I was amazed to hear that some city council candidates say that their first order of business will be to lift the camping ban. They have no concrete plans, but to return to danger and illegal activities.
Current councilmembers running for re-election, Sarah Moore and Hugo Garcia, plus candidates Sam Mendez and Rocco Devito have all stated publicly that they intend to lift the camping ban.
If you agree with me and do not want camping on public property again; please do not vote for anyone who is for it.
The above progressive candidates seem to think this is best for Burien, but I was a teacher and don’t understand how that is progressive.
Thank you!
– Kathleen McNee
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Thank you Kathleen for your personal experiance and let’s hope people really think long and hard on their vote this election.
As the cool kids would say “word”
I will not vote for anyone who wants to lift the camping ban. Those camps downtown were an awful public safety hazard for everyone. Apparently Sam, Sarah, Rocco, and Hugo are OK with that as they have not mentioned any other plan for the homeless population.
Burien has had a ban on camping for a year or so and the city is much improved for residents, visitors, small businesses, restaurants, bakeries, city hall, the library, banks, healthcare facilities, and many other establishments. Let’s keep it that way.
Before the ban, city life was a mess.
The City of Burien experienced years of trouble with homeless people including break-ins to commercial and residential buildings resulting in theft and vandalism; people sleeping in doorways, hallways, and stairways of commercial and residential buildings; pooping and peeing next to and inside commercial and residential buildings; selling and using drugs; drug residue and paraphernalia inside and outside commercial and residential buildings; threatening and chasing residents; trash left everywhere; among other things. This is a public health and public safety problem and not unique to Burien.
Camping, whether on public sidewalks, parks, or parking lots is not an answer. Business loses customers and money. Residents lose property values given difficulty to sell or rent property next to a homeless encampment. Residents also lose access to nearby healthcare, financial, and other facilities as they vote with their feet and travel to safer locations.
And the homeless lose as well. They remain on the street without adequate housing, sanitation, training and employment opportunities, and healthcare among other things.
Clearly a losing situation for everyone.
Keep the camping ban in place; find shelters for the homeless. And vote for candidates who understand that Burien is a safe and sane city for residents and visitors to walk, shop, and live.