STUNNING DEVELOPMENT: In latest update, @KCPubHealth's Dr. Faisal Khan says, "the medical examiner's office is now struggling with the issue of STORING BODIES because the fentanyl related death toll continues to climb." @GovInslee@kcexec@MayorofSeattle#Seattle
AMERICAN TRAGEDY: @jasonrantz first to report on this grim development impacting #Seattle, #KingCounty, and our entire region. Khan says medical examiner's offices nationwide dealing with same problems with storage of bodies related to #fentanyl deaths.
CURRENT PLAN NOT WORKING: Elected officials must now admit it’s an addiction crisis and it must be prioritized. Every homeless encampment is littered w/drug paraphernalia. Out of record 310 homeless deaths last year, majority fentanyl related. #Seattle
ACTUAL BREAKDOWN Of HOMELESS DEATHS SEATTLE 2022:
-70% fentanyl related.
-18 homeless people died by homicide.
-35 homeless people died from natural causes.
-10 homeless people died from hypothermia or exposure.
EVERY HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT: Back in October, I caught up with these fellas in SODO. Why are we allowing HOMELESS addicts to die on our streets? We are losing a GENERATION. Where is the intervention? @GovInslee@kcexec @MayorofSeattle@KC_RHA@seattledot
DRUG CITY: The drug epidemic is so bad in #Seattle, I now carry Narcan since I encounter addicts daily. In October, guy was "tweaking" on drugs in traffic near Lams' Seafood on King St. He refused help. @GovInslee@MayorofSeattle@kcexec@SeattleCouncil
HUMAN TRAGEDY: #Chinatown-ID continues to UNFAIRLY shoulder burden of crime, drug addiction,+ homeless crisis. This past September, I documented numerous instances of addicts injecting in front of kids. @GovInslee@kcexec@MayorofSeattle@KC_RHA#Seattle
@GovInslee@kcexec@MayorofSeattle@KC_RHA ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY: "Harm reduction" lobby is adding fuel to America's drug epidemic. Unlimited needles, foil,+supplies to get high. But little intervention or requirements for addicts to get treatment. And this industry is profiting handsomely. #Seattle
@GovInslee@kcexec@MayorofSeattle@KC_RHA IT'S THE DRUGS STUPID: Resilient small biz owners like @RohanJoseph12 huge part of 2022 narrative. Fed up with #Seattle's drug addicts disrupting biz, he's documenting every single encounter and now PERSONALLY trying to change the culture on his street.
SEATTLE'S UNENDING DRUG CRISIS : I spent months REPORTING on 3rd Ave. in downtown Seattle+Little Saigon. Despite efforts by @MayorofSeattle and @SeattlePD, open air drug dens/black markets are THRIVING. #Seattle@GovInslee@kcexec
NEW PLAN: “Housing first” is not working and is liability for politicians who subscribe to this. Just look on streets of PNW/West Coast/Vancouver BC Canada. Prioritizing solutions for drug addiction+mental illness will be key to “housing earned.” #Seattle
RESPONSIBILITY OF MEDIA:At this point, we all know mainstream media is NOT going to consistently cover these raw realities in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Philly, etc. Independent/citizen journos now tasked to fill this huge gap.
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COLLUSION? As many of you know, my job is to ask tough questions and hold public officials accountable. Few days ago, @jasonrantz first reported on King Co. morgue running out of space due to fentanyl overdose deaths. I contacted @KCPubHealth PIO James Apa. Here’s his response.
MY INQUIRY TO DOW CONSTANTINE: Last week, I also reached out to @kcexec’s media handler Chase Gallagher about the Federal Way homeless motel and King County’s involvement. Here’s Chase’s response below. Notice any similarities to Apa’s?🙃
COMMON DENOMINATOR: Back in September, I confronted King County Executive Dow Constantine over community concerns about his HOMELESS MEGAPLEX. His media handlers tried to block me but I chased him down to get answers for #Chinatown-ID. Things haven't been the same between us.🙃
@DESCSeattle@SeattlePD@GovInslee@MayorofSeattle@kcexec DESC PROBLEMS: #Seattle's first homicide of year on Jan. 2 happened inside CANADAY HOUSE. @DESCSeattle properties deal w/high rates of complaints and 911 calls. Units house formerly homeless, drug addicts, and people struggling w/mental health issues.
COMPLAINTS STACKING UP: Homeowners near @DESCSeattle's Clement Place("HOUSING FIRST"model) documented numerous problems caused by SOME residents. Fights, drugs, attempted burglary. Neighbors claim DESC building managers ignoring them. #Seattle
CABLE NEWS COVERAGE: @Twolfrecovery is another #SanFrancisco based North America Recovers coalition member taking his powerful addiction recovery story national, and warning against the “harm reduction” lobby and “safe injection sites.”
ROUND 2 TODAY: Protesters rallying Sunday 1PM in #Lynnwood against Acadia Healthcare’s controversial OPIOID CLINIC. @safeLynnwood organizers say they’re raising intensity. Bringing in more reinforcements+fighting till the end. @WADeptHealth@GovInslee@lynnwood
ROUND 1: Powerful protest last Saturday against controversial OPIOD CLINIC about to open near Boys & Girls Club. Demonstrators CALLING OUT @laurendavisWA, Acadia Healthcare, @GovInslee, and @WADeptHealth. Organizers promising ferocious fight. #Lynnwood
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: #Seattle's sex trafficking scene is overshadowed by the homeless crisis, drug epidemic,+other crimes. I've been documenting for months. Adding to @KatieDaviscourt's coverage today. These young women need help. @D5Juarez@GovInslee@MayorofSeattle@kcexec
THEY'RE VICTIMS: Police+prosecutors say they are going after pimps and "Johns" fueling this market. The sex workers will rarely ever be arrested. Lowes and Firestone parking lot on Aurora Ave N is a fav spot. Several groups and churches are trying to help these women. #Seattle
LINED UP FOR BLOCKS: These young women are waiting around side streets along Aurora Ave N. Neighbors+biz owners in D5 have been complaining for years. Why is this allowed? Sadly, this has become an accepted part of #Seattle culture. Watch how it works. @D5Juarez@MayorofSeattle
POSITIVE SIGNS: Camp Hope in #Spokane is shrinking and visuals are dramatic. @WSDOT_East says it's down to 138 people, a 70% decrease in past two months. State officials are closely monitoring because it could be a playbook to address other encampments.
PROGRESS: There is no doubt the situation is improving on @WSDOT_East property. The proof is in people going into housing. Outreach, numerous volunteers, and leadership of Jewels Helping Hands brokering deals with state officials and buying time has been massive. #Spokane
LATEST FROM WSDOT: This past summer Camp Hope had more than 600 people and was being called state’s largest encampment. Crime and other issues spilling into community. But since camp leaders took new security measures like putting up fence, problems have been reduced. #Spokane