“Thank you for getting me out of Hell.” — Words of a homeless man who recently escaped the Courthouse Camp in Burien, and is now in a Spokane rehab facility.
It is October 1, and Dow Constantine’s encampment from “Hell” is still destroying people’s lives. Under Executive Dow Constantine’s leadership, King County has once again failed to fulfill a promise to the city of Burien and those in dire need of help.
We reached out to Constantine’s office and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) with multiple questions regarding the newly posted sign which proclaims the encampment will be closed. The sign left more questions than answers.
We received no answer from KCRHA to any of the questions.
We received the following incomplete answer from Constantine’s office.
“Thanks for reaching out. For your first question, we had hoped to be able to resolve this encampment by the end of this month, but these processes take time, and it is now anticipated to be closed by the end of October. Please attribute this to me or a spokesperson for the office.
“For questions regarding enforcement, please reach out to BPD and all other questions on process and relocation should be directed to KCRHA directly.”
Thanks,
Amy Enbysk // Press Secretary
Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine
Burien Police Department and KCSO:
We contacted the Burien Police Department, who directed us to the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). We have not received any comment from them on a new KC Sheriff’s policy that would allow the Burien Police, who operate in Burien as contracted Sheriff’s deputies, and who operate under the authority of the KC Sheriff, to execute the law.
In March 2024, KC Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall directed deputies not to enforce Burien’s Camping Ordinance 832, then she proceeded to sue the City of Burien over the ordinance’s possible “unconstitutionality.”
Last week, the courts dismissed the sheriff’s case against Burien, and chastised her for acting lawlessly. Burien is still waiting to see if the judicial decision will change the sheriff’s behavior.
Regarding the homeless in Burien, the county alone seems unable to help those caught in the bondage of drug addiction and mental oppression of the encampments. However, the City of Burien’s new outreach services contractor, The More We Love, has successfully found meaningful rehab, detox, and mental health support for many of those trapped in the camps.
The More We Love
Led by Kristine Moreland, Burien’s outreach team has been remarkably effective in moving the broken into places of healing. Her team has already fielded dozens of referrals from REACH and LEAD, and they plan to continue their coordinated efforts to find appropriate support services.
We reached out to Kristine Moreland for her thoughts on “next steps” for how the residents of the camp can best be supported. She responded to us, saying:
“There is a lack of coordinated efforts here, and we need to have a plan to stabilize these people. It’s not just about housing. It’s not about resolving this camp. We need to stabilize these humans so they can be functional in our communities.
“We are just scooping them from one property to another. And if we are only taking the outdoor encampment and putting it inside, without intentional resources, then we are failing. We have to be intentional. We have to bring mental health, detox, and rehab support.
“These people have been living outdoors in squalor. We have to retrain their mindset and not just put them behind closed doors. Without intentional resources, we will fail the communities next door to those buildings, and we will fail the communities that we serve.”
“Thank you for getting me out of Hell”
Ms. Moreland shared the words of a man who she recently helped escape the Burien Courthouse Camp. He said “thank you for getting me out of Hell,” and he acknowledged that admittance to a rehab facility in Spokane was the best thing that could have possibly happened to support his recovery.
The More We Love shared this about their most recent referral:
“Sarahann, the Director of Survivor Services for The More We Love, gently held the hand of a young woman as they left a homeless encampment. They walked together towards an appointment for an addiction support program. There was a sense of quiet determination in their steps.
“Sarahann’s supportive presence offered the young woman a chance at recovery and a fresh start. It was a moment filled with the possibility of hope and positive change. She is on her way to recovery in a supportive program.
“Be someone’s constant.”
What will happen next? We will report.
Questions sent to Dow, KCRHA, KCSO
1. When will the camp be closed? Dow Constantine promised it would be closed by the end of September, today. Why was that not honored? (9/30/24)
2. How can the Burien Police Department help when the Sheriff says it is not legal to move the campers out. Is the Sheriff going to follow the law this time? What is the current KCSO policy?
3. REACH has proven to be an ineffective program. What makes KCRHA think they will be effective now?
4. How many are on the list?
5. How many living the county camp are not on the list?
6. Where will they go? Will they be encouraged to find another place in Burien? If so the BPD going be allowed and instructed to follow Burien’s Camping Ordinance 832, the law?
7. Where did the housing for the placements come from?
8. How will KCRHA keep new folks from coming in? Have you posted security?
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