Seattle Mayor declares ‘civil emergency’ as homelessness increases 21 percent

KIRO TV ^ | 11/2/2015 | Staff

[simpson96]

In response to what the Seattle mayor calls a growing homeless crisis in the city, Ed Murray signed a proclamation declaring a civil emergency.

More than 2,800 men, women, and children are without shelter on the streets of Seattle, which is a 21 percent increase from last year, according to the latest overnight count.

"We are in a moment of our history where decades of service cuts, growing inequality, and untreated mental health and drug [addiction] has finally resulted in a human crisis seen in the history of our city -- indeed in the history of our nation," Murray said.(snip)

Many Ballard residents say they were "blindsided" over summer plans to put that homeless camp in their neighborhood. It’s located in a lot that sits near a bar, Sloop Tavern, and not far from a medical marijuana dispensary and a liquor store.

[I want the USA back]

Proof that liberal policies fail.

[SteveinSATX]

Practically a new class of under-achieving society completely dependent on and created by the same state whose years of liberal policies have robbed these people of any sense of personal responsibility. The he’ll if it is these same dregs will continue to vote for and support the same ideological insanity that has rendered them so.

[Not A Snowbird]

You are enabling them to continue spending every dime they cage on alcohol and drugs.

Not to mention very expensive cigarettes. I walk past the shelter twice a day to and from the train. They ALL are smoking and the sidewalk is littered with empty booze bottles. Where are they getting the money for that?

That's why I don't give them any money.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

“We are in a moment of our history where decades of service cuts, growing inequality, and untreated mental health and drug [addiction] has finally resulted in a human crisis seen in the history of our city — indeed in the history of our nation,” Murray said.(snip)

Decades of politicians spending the money on their pet projects.

[VanDeKoik]

I bet Pioneer Square is a cesspit, or maybe they can help them migrate up to the Capitol Hill area. Lots of socialists up there to help them out.

[Chuckster]

You DO realize that this is a city that boasts a sixteen foot tall bronze statue of Lenin don't you?

Lenin's statue in the Fremont district of Seattle

[CedarDave]

I was in both Seattle and Portland this summer and both cities have a large "homeless" population.

This post regarding Portland's problems appeared at another website:

Though some will call me uncaring, I named them "human pigeons." They are ubiquitous, begging for scraps (i.e. spare change), defecate and urinate anyplace, and generally unclean. The reasons for their condition are no doubt numerous and debatable. But regardless, their presence in an area that has been redeveloped to serve as a pleasant gateway to Portland is unsettling and only reinforces the city's reputation as a mecca for the homeless, by circumstance or otherwise (such as mental illness, drug or alcohol use, crime, young runaways, etc.

The term "human pigeons" seems entirely appropriate to characterize them.

[txhurl]

But not near any of the hating YT destinations like grocery stores, gyms, churches, schools, family diners. These guys need to be cited for not being inclusive and diverse.

[MPJackal]

Actually they go back and forth. Seattle, Portland, Eugene, and others up the I-5 corridor have great weather from May to October. Little rain, low humidity, and temps in the 70’s low 80’s most of that time. The cities are very friendly with food and shelter (if they want it). They sleep in the parks and in doorways and beg for money or break into cars for money for alcohol and drugs.

When the rains come they head south to CA and AZ for the winter.

Good work if you can get it.

[TheDon]

Hawaii, Seattle....is this a trend for Democratic Party run areas?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

U.S. income tax haul at record high levels; Obama borrowed $10 TRILLION in seven years; Democrat control of the White House and Senate for most of those years.

Sheesh, what are these “cuts” he complains of? Why haven’t those in control solved the problem yet?

[SaveFerris]

A lot of us have been hurt by the Obama economy. This facade cannot continue unabated. To say there are serious problems is a vast understatement.

When the gov’t starts shedding jobs in a losing quest to survive we’ll know it’s really coming down quick.

Like holding a ticket for $601 or more in the Illinois lottery.

[Noumenon]

What could possibly go wrong?

[SaveFerris]

Like all other liberals, they want it fixed with “government money”.

[Kirkwood]

The problem is compounded because the homeless in Seattle are more hostile and aggressive than in other parts of the country. I guess if you live there you don't notice it, but people who travel a lot notice the difference.

[SaveFerris]

He sure has a great history behind him.

A great history of nations bereft of food, jobs, productivity, hope.

[KC_Conspirator]

I have no doubt that the the homeless numbers have skyrocketed in the past 7 years. If a Republican were in the WH, it would be a drumbeat in the media every damn day.

[blueunicorn6]

Paging Bill Gates.

They need your checkbook.

[Anima Mundi]

Because Satan was too busy to pose?

[txhurl]

I’m sure Seattle had it in the deal that any $15 min wage was to be ‘rectified’ if the policy went south on them.