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In October 2023, the Burien Metropolis Council decided that displays a agency dedication to rules of social accountability. We handed a number of measures aimed toward retaining our neighborhood secure, together with permitting legislation enforcement to take away everlasting tent encampments on public grounds. These measures are cheap, legally defensible and well-liked with Burien residents.
Burien is a predominantly working-class suburb of Seattle with a inhabitants of round 50,000. As such, we contract with the King County Sheriff’s Workplace to offer legislation enforcement companies to town, and town pays tens of millions of {dollars} annually for it. For months, our commonsense coverage that regulates tents to maintain public areas secure was enforced with out incident.
However a number of weeks in the past, town reached out to Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall to debate our issues with the Sheriff’s Workplace not imposing drug legal guidelines in Burien’s downtown core. As an alternative, the sheriff — appointed by King County Govt Dow Constantine — was pressured to direct deputies not to enforce our tent-regulation measure.
As an alternative of sitting down with us to debate issues, the county authorities filed a legal complaint in U.S. District Courtroom in opposition to Burien to say they don’t need to need to implement the legislation handed by an elected physique of a metropolis. This can be a dereliction of obligation, a nasty use of taxpayer assets and — above all — a tragic sense of priorities throughout this worsening disaster.
Because the sheriff stopped imposing Burien’s ordinance, there have been 4 overdoses and two deaths at encampments in our metropolis. The newest demise, from an overdose, was on Friday, and throughout the identical hour, a fireplace began on the identical encampment the place the person died.
Regardless of calling the scenario a “disaster,” regional leaders haven’t acted with any urgency. Worse but, county management has determined to change into an impediment.
We must always spend money on what works: transitional housing and remedy for habit and psychological well being. It’s additionally time to surrender what doesn’t work – unrestricted encampments have solely exacerbated the disaster. We are able to’t hold throwing cash at an issue with out getting optimistic outcomes. Cash shouldn’t be an consequence.
Fentanyl overdoses in King County proceed to skyrocket. Tragically, Burien’s main encampment just lately added to that somber rely. As an alternative of lawsuits that waste taxpayer money and time, the county authorities must be centered on encouraging of us to simply accept companies regardless of the place they’re.
Like most communities round Seattle, Burienites come at homelessness empathy first. That’s why Burien’s Metropolis Council has strongly supported efficient packages. Profitable public-private partnerships have led to lots of of everlasting supportive housing items, behavioral well being beds and reasonably priced housing items in Burien.
I even have first-hand expertise responding to this disaster, alongside dozens of compassionate of us in Burien. My uncle was homeless, and my household helped him get again on his ft. For years I’ve volunteered with Union Gospel Mission’s Outreach, St. Vincent de Paul’s homelessness program, taken dozens of youth teams to Catholic Housing and neighborhood companies packages and donated to causes devoted to eradicating homelessness.
As a Democrat, I imagine within the potential for presidency to assist susceptible populations. That’s precisely why I help accountability. As a result of authorities could make an impression on lives — by remedy, emergency shelter or accountability measures — it’s an ethical failure to double down on failed approaches.
In coming years, I hope Burien, and cities prefer it, will change into a regional chief in streets-to-workforce packages to offer the occupational help folks want after drug rehabilitation and housing help.
I perceive that some will probably be important of Burien’s method. But it surely’s time for native leaders to begin pushing again in opposition to the unhealthy habits of regional management. That features standing up for the enforcement of cheap native approaches.
King County voters have been clear for years. It’s time to prioritize public security over politics and remedy over tents. If King County’s management gained’t hear, cities like Burien will probably be pressured to go it alone.
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