Tents pitched at City Hall to take stand for homeless

Homeless advocates turned City Hall plaza into a small tent city Thursday night to protest how Seattle treats homeless people camping in parks and greenbelts.

Homeless people complain that their survival gear has been destroyed and thrown away by police officers and city employees.

By early evening, protesters had set up 10 tents on City Hall's doorstep. About 50 people gathered and a nonprofit organization served dinner. The tents were expected to be gone by today.

"I'm witness to the strong-arm robbery tactic of people's possessions," John Spelzini said as he set up a small green tent. While he is staying in transitional housing, he said, he has a friend, "an urban camper," who has lost his gear in several police sweeps. He called it inhumane.

"I understand some sweeps are necessary, but give 72-hour notice and store our stuff."

The city has proposed new guidelines for how departments should clear out these camps. Campers will get 48-hour notice before their belongings are removed, and the city will start sending outreach workers to the camps to connect people with services and shelter. The city also will begin storing valuable personal items authorities find, such as identification cards, photos and prescriptions. Officials have also committed to opening more shelter space as needed.

Patricia McInturff, director of human services, said she doesn't like the term "sweeps."

"They're unauthorized encampments," she said. "The city has been cleaning up unauthorized encampments for 20 years. I think the new protocol is a giant step forward" with its inclusion of outreach, storage options and additional shelter.

Tim Harris, executive director of Real Change, disagreed. The activist community newspaper organized Thursday's protest.

"Where are these people supposed to go?" he asked. "Unless the city can provide real services to people and real alternatives to living outside, then they should leave people alone unless they are causing a problem."

City Councilmember Jean Godden, Budget Committee chair, also attended the gathering Thursday. She said the council would budget more for low-income housing if economic conditions allow.

"We haven't drawn up our budget priorities, but human services has always been one of the top priorities," she said.