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Tensions Flare Over Pending Opioid Clinic in Lynnwood

_{Jonathan Choe
January 9, 2023}

Breaking This evening tensions flare inside and outside #Lynnwood council meeting. Residents confronting Acadia Healthcare rep telling him not to open controversial OPIOID CLINIC near Alderwood Boys & Girls Club. @WADeptHealth and state leaders also being called out. Wild! Put on Blast #Lynnwood Council Prez George Hurst personally calling out @WADeptHealth, accusing state agency of bungling communication over OPIOID CLINIC saying, “It was a deliberate attempt to tamp down public comments.” DOH will ultimately make final call on clinic. Massive Fight This evening, #Lynnwood council gave Acadia Healthcare and @WADeptHealth an out. Don’t open OPIOID CLINIC near Alderwood Boys & Girls Club. Otherwise, residents plan on launching FEROCIOUS FIGHT and it will become a PR disaster and mess for state Read More ›

Opposition Arises to New Lynnwood Opioid Clinic

_{Jonathan Choe
January 5, 2023}

Lynnwood Meeting Was Fire Tuesday night’s council meeting lasted nearly 4 hours. Bottom line, here’s consensus argument against @WADeptHealth allowing Acadia Healthcare to open OPIOID CLINIC near Boys & Girls Club. Opponents frame company as greedy corporation. Why Opioid Clinic is Needed Vast majority of room and most of #Lynnwood council say they want methadone clinic in low traffic area of city away from kids, biz, and homes. However some interpreted that as being a NIMBY. Here’s case for clinic at proposed site. What is Acadia Healthcare? Nation’s largest operator of “behavioral health” centers. If allowed to come in by @WADeptHealth, officials say it would be #Lynnwood‘s only clinic providing METHADONE. City already has detox centers but does not provide Read More ›

Updated: Seattle Suffers First Homicide of the Year

_{Jonathan Choe
January 4, 2023}

Seattle’s First Homicide of 2023 @SeattlePD wrapped presser at @DESCSeattle Canaday House. Police say female resident killed by a man who was eventually arrested. #DESC properties continue to deal with high rates of complaints and 911 calls. On Going Problems @DESCSeattle‘s Canaday House is one of several “housing first” projects in #Seattle. But places like The Morrison, Lyon Building, and Clement Place deal with rash of neighbor complaints about drug use and other issues spilling into streets. https://www.desc.org/what-we-do/housing/ New Year Same Problems @HomicideSeattle, has anyone pulled 911 calls to these @DESCSeattle properties in #Seattle? If millions of dollars are being spent to build more of this “supportive housing,” who’s tracking the impact on the community? New Details 46 year old Read More ›

Seattle’s First Encampment Fire of 2023

_{Jonathan Choe
January 2, 2023}

Seattle’s First Encampment Fire of 2023 No casualties or serious injuries at S. Lake Union camp. But this one near Space Needle has been cleared before. I’ve been tracking for months. City and outreach struggling to get in front of repeat situations. Exclusive Day after Christmas 2022, this one erupted at encampment off S. Rainier Ave/90E ramp on @WSDOT property. I tried to help. Campers in nearby tents were furious because it will now attract more scrutiny. Exclusive Back in October 2022, another fire at PROBLEMATIC homeless encampment on @WSDOT property in #Seattle‘s #Chinatown-ID. Inferno torched several tents. No injuries but biz owners are furious and want #WSDOT to SWEEP. Even Seattle PD Calling Out WSDOT I’ve obtained this email Read More ›

Seattle’s Little Saigon Becomes Site of Black Market Goods

_{Jonathan Choe
January 1, 2023}

Happy New Year It’s only fitting in 2023, I’m filing first report in Seattle’s Little Saigon at 1am. Black market of stolen goods/drug den thriving. No police. Watch oblivious family walk through madness. Maybe @cmkshama will show up this year. Few Days Before Christmas 2022 Even in freezing cold, folks boosting and looking for last minute #Christmas gifts in #Chinatown-ID and 3rd Ave in Downtown #Seattle. Fentanyl and meth being smoked. Streets are a mess. Will 2023 be any different? Even After Recent Food Stamp Bust Dudes are still out here hustling in Little Saigon. Worst Kept Secret For months I have been tracking illegal sales and trade of EBT(food stamp)cards in #Seattle‘s Little Saigon. Little did I know, @SeattlePD Read More ›

Not Just Seattle: Homelessness Plaguing Major West Coast Cities

_{Jonathan Choe
December 20, 2022}

This is Portland @RJBalpha continuing his journey throughout West Coast/PNW. He says sweeps continue under @tedwheeler in #Portland, but homeless encampments continue to spread further out from Downtown core. Similar pattern developing in #Seattle. San Francisco is Dystopian @RJBalpha was also in Tenderloin neighborhood. Bay Area is one of wealthiest regions in America and epicenter of Big Tech. Yet this is what’s being allowed. Greetings from Los Angeles Homeless crisis is out of control on West Coast. @RJBalpha driving through parts of California this week and documenting. These are truly America’s slums. It looks like a war zone.

Inside the Mind of an Addict

_{Jonathan Choe
December 15, 2022}

I have encountered so many men and women along drug corridors in downtown #Seattle and Little Saigon who steal to fuel their fentanyl/”blues” habit. Tony says guys who “boost” share strategies. They know legal system is like Swiss cheese. It’s a Network There are theft rings for sure. But there’s another vicious cycle playing out on streets of #Seattle and Little Saigon. Men and women, especially homeless, admit “boosting” items from stores to sell for fraction of price.Any proceeds raised are used to buy drugs. Legos are Red Hot The “boosters” tell me popular LEGO sets like Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter sell immediately on the streets. Collectors come to Little Saigon to buy. It’s wild. Police know this as Read More ›

Tents Continue to Pop Up Near Seattle City Hall

_{Jonathan Choe
December 14, 2022}

Surrounded 3rd Ave. near #Seattle City Hall getting face lift w/boards on Lyon Building today. But will it keep campers away? Tents popping up near Columbia St. Many people out here are not homeless but stay in nearby @DESCSeattle buildings. Come here to chill. Couple Weeks Ago @MayorofSeattle w/probably dozen sweeps this year on 3rd Ave near City Hall. Many of these are “trap tents.” Just set up to chill and do drugs. Worst kept secret. Thanksgiving Day Outreach Multiple faith based groups like Union Gospel Mission and Reach Ministry have been working this Pioneer Sq/downtown #Seattle corridor. So the lack of services and shelter options being offered are not the issue.

Comcast Takes Matters Into Its Own Hands to Clear Encampment

_{Jonathan Choe
December 14, 2022}

Sweep On The Way Homeless encampment next to #Comcast building in N. #Seattle on notice. @CampSiteSeattle first to report “eco-blocks” sighting. Now campers tell me city will sweep sometime next week. Recently, cable giant was accused of blasting loud music to drive out campers. Put On Blast Last month @comcast accused of using SUPER LOUD classical music and “psychological warfare” to drive out homeless from problematic encampment in #Seattle. Few Months Ago Other streets along N.Aurora Ave. have homeless camps blocking sidewalks. This blind man had enough. @ADANational needs to scrutinize potential Americans w/ Disabilities Act violations caused by encampments in #Seattle. This Is Seattle In second video, blind man is struggling to walk through debris on sidewalk from homeless Read More ›

News’ Last Stand in Downtown Seattle’s “Economic Warzone”

_{Jonathan Choe
December 9, 2022}

There are two downtown Seattles. One that sparkles and shines for the Christmas holiday season, packed with shoppers and tourists in what appears to be a safe and inviting atmosphere. Then there’s the other. The lights are off and many store fronts remain shuttered along Third Avenue and Pike Street.

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.