Jonathan Choe

Journalist and Senior Fellow, Center on Wealth and Poverty

Archives

3rd and Columbia in a Spiral

3rd and Columbia Homeless Encampment Continues to Spiral Out of Control
Jonathan Choe
August 29, 2022
Nightmare Morning Commute Massive mess on 3rd Ave.& Columbia St. in downtown #Seattle. Biz owners sending me vids of fist fight, open air drug use, tents out of control, and mental illness on full display. I’m tracking situation. Already Warned the City Earlier this month, biz owners at 3rd Ave. & Columbia St. begged @MayorofSeattle @KC_RHA @CMAndrewJLewis to do something about this corner before it spiraled out of control. At the time, there were only 2 tents. This Remains the Challenge What’s the plan to get in front of these encampments before they spiral out of control, not after the fact? It was only 2 tents earlier this month. I’m Only One Guy There have been so many other incidents Read More ›

WSDOT Completes Removal of Homeless Encampment at 10th and Dearborn

Jonathan Choe
August 26, 2022
Final Check @wsdot homeless encampment removal today at 10th/Dearborn in #Seattle, 11am. I spent Thursday night checking on peeps I’ve tracked since May. Many gathered here after SWEEPS. This area on outskirts of Little Saigon was used as massive drug den. Now What? Most of campers here have been housed for now. I’ve reached out to @WSDOT to ask how the agency plans to avoid another repeat performance of this encampment. Still waiting for a response. Campers broke the lock and moved in the last time around. Guidance for Campers Like other sweeps in Seattle, word would spread quickly in the homeless community about outreach and housing referrals. So there was a mad dash to get here in final weeks. Read More ›

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn Calls for More Transparency from KCRHA

Jonathan Choe
August 26, 2022
Calling for Accountability @KCCReaganDunn says he’s asking for AUDIT after struggling to get information from @KC_RHA, including returned phone calls. Wow. “We’ve had some communication with them but there’s been a fair amount of strained access to information.” -Reagan Dunn Still Waiting for a KCRHA Response If a sitting King County Councilmember is struggling to get information from @KCRHA, what about the public? Renewed calls for transparency.

Seattle’s Unending Drug Crisis

Jonathan Choe
August 19, 2022
In this great American city, blessed with enormous wealth and natural beauty, a drug crisis is exploding on its streets. Along 3rd Avenue, against the backdrop of Pike Place Market in Seattle’s downtown core, the addicts smoke and inject all kinds of substances in plain sight. 

Day One of Interurban Trail Begins as Activists Intervene

Jonathan Choe
August 17, 2022
Happening Now Massive homeless encampment along #Seattle‘s Interurban Trail being cleared after 1 day delay. Neighbors thrilled after complaining about surge in crime related to camp. Already, many homeless refusing shelter options from outreach workers. Stop the Sweeps at it Again: Far-left mutual aid group believes moving homeless people to other neighborhoods is right thing to do, claiming shelter conditions are inhumane. At some point @MayorofSeattle and@KCRHA will have to address this INCONVENIENT TRUTH. What’s Really Happening Past year, been to most of Seattle’s encampment sweeps and have talked to hundreds of homeless people. VAST MAJORITY echo Bruce Drager. Neighbors DM’ing me right now, asking where homeless are heading next. Brief History By all neighbor accounts, Interurban Trail homeless encampment Read More ›

Interurban Trail Sweep Delayed

Jonathan Choe
August 16, 2022
Well, the signs said it would happen today. But neighbors are telling me it’s now been pushed back to Wed/Thur. Still trying to find out why from city. I am on another assignment anyway, but will head over later to see what’s up. Brief History of Encampment Handful of tents here since beginning of Covid. But neighbors say more people moved in right after Bitter Lake and Woodland Park sweeps a few months ago. Then even more tents popped up after N. 96th sweep.

City of Seattle Prepares to Clear Interurban Trail

Jackson Meyer
August 16, 2022
Happening Today City crews are preparing to remove INTERURBAN TRAIL homeless encampment. More than 40 tents/structures. Many of these men and women say shelter options being offered by @KCRHA and @MayorofSeattle are not acceptable and will move to another part of city. Brief History of Encampment Handful of tents here since beginning of Covid. But neighbors say more people moved in right after Bitter Lake and Woodland Park sweeps a few months ago. Then even more tents popped up after N. 96th sweep.

Interurban Trail Encampments to be Cleared August 16

Jonathan Choe
August 15, 2022
Finally Happening Massive homeless encampment along #Seattle’s Interurban Trail is finally being cleared. It’s going to be a 2 day affair. I’ve been tracking explosive growth here for months. Many people have come here from recent sweeps: Capitol Hill, N.96th St, Woodland Park. Who’s Responsible? I’ve been talking to Seattle city officials since last month about jurisdictional responsibility. Neighbors say they were getting the run around. But with the impending sweep, looks like everyone is now in agreement that it’s time to clear the area. Exclusive Here’s a recent Seattle Police 9-11 dispatch call about Interurban Trail regarding 2 incidents. Even dispatcher WARNS officer about possible dangers at encampment. *I edited for time. Some parts inaudible. Neighbors and HOMELESS at Read More ›