Jonathan Choe

Journalist and Senior Fellow, Center on Wealth and Poverty

Archives

Greenwood Neighborhood Holds Public Safety Town Hall

Jonathan Choe
October 17, 2022
Happening Tonight Major public safety Town Hall in #Seattle‘s Greenwood neighborhood at Taproot Theater, 6pm. Last week, kids were collecting signatures, to demand immediate ACTION from elected officials. Might be presented tonight. Huge Development Neighbors at the Janus Apartments say the “SQUATTER” is now officially out! Guarantee this evening, that issue will come up at the public safety meeting. Residents want to know how you prevent something like this from happening again? Shooting Suspect Still on the Run Unfortunately, authorities have not captured this man, wanted for shooting COURAGEOUS security guard hired to patrol the Janus because of the SQUATTER and associated issues. Good news, guard is recovering. Impossible to Ignore And the homeless crisis and tent encampments growing in Read More ›

Huge Win for Chinatown: King County Disbands Plans for Homeless Megaplex

Jonathan Choe
October 16, 2022
Historic Win Recapping Saturday’s #Chinatown-ID victory rally, when was the last time you heard about an Asian American community, made up of mostly SENIOR CITIZENS, taking down a King County Executive’s (@kcexec) plan to RAM through a HOMELESS MEGAPLEX? Unprecedented in #Seattle. Coming Together Before Dow capitulated Friday, many #Chinatown-ID residents were extremely disappointed in Democrats for being MIA. But Joe Nguyen and Sharon Tomiko Santos finally showed to put HOMELESS MEGAPLEX on BLAST. @KCGOP being praised for being with #CID since 1st rally. Ongoing Challenges As I was walking to Hing Hay Park on Saturday, I encountered another addict using a doorway to smoke drugs. This is a daily occurrence in #Chinatown-ID. This is why the advocates and seniors Read More ›

Despite Sweeps, SODO Homeless Crisis Continues to Spiral Out of Control

Jonathan Choe
October 13, 2022
SODO’s A Mess After multiple sweeps, RV’s/tents back on 3rd Ave/Holgate/Utah Ave. #Seattle CANNOT keep up. Meanwhile trash, crime, drug dealing evident. Why are we allowing HOMELESS addicts to die on our streets? We are losing a GENERATION. He Called It Everyone give Pat Robbins a standing ovation. He said the encampments would return to SODO. And once again, city is paralyzed. NO plan to get in front before these spiral out of control. Think about the tax dollars wasted. It’s All Come Back City is not keeping track of vehicles, but I am. All the same people are back with new additions. This is a mess. I feel for you @Starbucks HQ. The city is allowing RV owners to Read More ›

Regret and Apologies

Chinatown Directs Anger at King County, not the Homeless
Jonathan Choe
October 7, 2022
Last week, hundreds of senior citizens from the Chinatown-International District (C-ID) marched into SODO.  Protesting Dow Constantine’s homeless megaplex, they’re worried about the public safety impact on the C-ID, which is just a block away.   During the rally, a homeless couple stopped to give the marchers a piece of their mind. “Go back to your country,” they yelled, leaving the elders stunned by the racist remarks.   “Well, they can go back to their country too,” said community advocate Matt Chan, who didn’t appreciate the verbal attack.  Andrea Suarez with the homeless outreach group We Heart Seattle recognized the couple in the video.  “I was like, no! I’ve known them for over a year. We provided outreach to them initially on Western Avenue,” she said.  She Read More ›

After Sweep, Homeless Use Kayaks to Move to Other Side of Fremont Canal park

Jonathan Choe
September 30, 2022
Happening Now This morning, city crews preparing to clear homeless encampment at Fremont Canal Park in #Seattle. But one outreach group’s been anticipating this SWEEP, and say they have already taken steps to stay in touch with the people who usually get lost in the shuffle. This is a New One Most of the homeless refused to go into SHARED shelter spaces being offered by outreach workers today after the Fremont encampment sweep in #Seattle. But some got concierge service to their next destination in a KAYAK. The Other Side West Ewing Mini Park is right behind @SeattlePacific on the Queen Anne side of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. It’s now a growing homeless encampment as more people move in Read More ›

Tempers Flare as Chinatown Residents Protest New Homeless Megaplex

Jonathan Choe
September 29, 2022
Happening Now #Chinatown-ID protesters remain outside proposed site of Dow Constantine’s(@kcexec) HOMELESS MEGAPLEX as some community members get a tour. But SENIOR CITIZENS say they don’t care what it’s like inside. What’s the plan if problems spill OUTSIDE into #CID? Angry Confrontation Wow, several people from homeless encampment already on site of Dow Constantine’s(@kcexec) HOMELESS MEGAPLEX are yelling at #Chinatown-ID elders. But they aren’t standing down. Protest organizers say they are not against the homeless. Just at WAR with Dow. Tempers and Racism Flare A homeless person walking back to her encampment just cursed out #Chinatown-ID elders and yelled, “Go back to your country!”

Despite Sweeps, RVs Set Up in Seattle’s Georgetown District

Jonathan Choe
September 27, 2022
Exclusive They’re back! RV’s set up again near 7th Ave S. & S. Fidalgo St in GEORGETOWN after sweep. I’ve obtained surveillance video showing guy removing “ECO-blocks.” Neighbors+biz owners pleading with @seattledot and @MayorofSeattle to enforce. Right Now Entire street was cleared by @seattledot@SeattleSPU@MayorofSeattle a few months ago. I was there when crews moved in. I also saw aftermath when biz owners quietly moved in “ECO-blocks.” Technically illegal to use. This is now a FULL BLOWN street war. The Dude Biz owners say guy with the hat and orange shirt chained up “ECO-blocks” and dragged several to the side of the road so RV’s could move back and park.@seattledot says anyone bringing in these blocks are illegal. What about moving Read More ›

Chinatown Mobilizes Against Homeless Megaplex

Seattle's Chinatown International District and Seniors Mobilize Again To Block Homeless Megaplex
Jonathan Choe
September 22, 2022
Chinatown-International District (C-ID) residents are angry and feel disrespected. Especially the seniors. Instead of enjoying retirement, these grizzled veterans are challenging King County Executive Dow Constantine’s plan to ram through a homeless megaplex with close to 500 beds in nearby SODO.

Dow Constantine Addresses Chinatown Safety Concerns

Jonathan Choe
September 19, 2022
Dow Constantine Speaks He dodged my questions last week, but today @kcexec stood in there and responded after I asked him about PUBLIC SAFETY plan around HOMELESS MEGAPLEX. He’s refusing #Chinatown-ID’s request for 6 month moratorium on project. I guess I’m a JOURNALIST again. Major Public Safety Concerns Dow’s response shows there is NO new plan for PUBLIC SAFETY around this HOMELESS MEGAPLEX. Relying on current law enforcement agencies when they’re already down officers is not reassuring. This is what I was referring to. What About Moratorium? Leo Flor is Director of King County Department of Community and Human Services. He’s in charge of getting Dow Constantine’s (@kcexec) HOMELESS MEGAPLEX up and running. Listen to his SPIN when I ask Read More ›

Struggling at Boston’s Methadone Mile

Jonathan Choe
June 14, 2022
On the outskirts of Boston, some call this place “Methadone Mile.” Others give a more hopeful moniker: “Recovery Road.” Either way, city officials say it’s a humanitarian and health crisis.

Broken Down at the First Ave Bridge in Seattle

Jonathan Choe
June 3, 2022
The view from high above the First Avenue Bridge is breathtaking, with downtown Seattle on the horizon. But as you get closer to the ground, it looks like a third world country below. Surrounded by fencing and barbed wire, this plot of land is arguably one of the most problematic homeless encampments in the city.