BURIEN, Washington — There are new concerns surrounding the homeless encampment that has been set up outside the King County Courthouse in Burien for months.
The concern is the traffic around the camp.
“Visibility is poor. To get there safely, I have to put the front of my car in traffic to make a safe right turn,” said Don Webb, who lives a block from the camp.
Webb told KOMO News that it can be difficult for drivers turning right onto SW 148th Street to see between the tents and see if a vehicle is driving up the hill heading in their direction.
KOMO News has seen several drivers have to do the same thing: turn into oncoming traffic that is not required to stop. There is only one light for pedestrians at this intersection, but drivers on 6th Avenue SW cannot see that light.
Webb brought his concerns to the City of Burien and King County and asked for options to defuse the situation.
“There are usually at least two RVs parked there, blocking not only my view but also the King County Police vehicles. This could be a significant cause of an accident there,” Webb said in an email to the King County Clerk’s Office.
Webb took photos to show both the city of Burien and King County how tents were obstructing motorists’ views. He said only the Burien Police Department, which is made up of King County officers, responded to his concerns.
He said an officer he spoke with “agreed it was a safety issue” and he would try to get voluntary compliance. Webb said there was actually some mitigation in that the officer asked campers to move their tents, but Webb said this only lasted a few days and the tents were moved back.
The problem with this encampment – which KOMO News has been reporting on for months – is that the city of Burien said it was King County’s responsibility. Webb pointed out that it is the police’s job to enforce traffic laws and investigate accidents.
KOMO News also reached out to the city and county with questions. Burien told KOMO News they raised the same concerns directly with several King County departments, who responded “there is no problem.” City spokesman Devin Chicras said, “The city remains concerned that the issue has not been addressed.”
“It’s very frustrating for me as a citizen. I have a safety problem and nobody wants to deal with it or take responsibility,” Webb said.
The King County Clerk’s Office responded to KOMO News’ questions in an email saying it did not set up the camp and that social workers are on site daily trying to find housing for people.
About a block away from the camp, a new affordable housing project called Bloomside just opened.
“Five people come in there, ten people come to fill the space here, so it’s going to be bad because everyone is coming here from different cities,” said a man who lives in the camp.
King County recently erected a tall, black fence around the existing camp, saying it was to provide unobstructed access to the county courthouse and to block traffic. The tents that concern Webb and other drivers are inside the fence and still pose a hazard.
SEE ALSO | King County sheriff insists on not enforcing Burien camping ban despite court ruling
KOMO News asked the county how much money is being spent on the encampment. The county has spent $85,000 on the fence and spends $3,338 each week on portable toilets, trash pickup and hand sanitizing stations. The money comes from the county’s building management department.
“I appreciate them giving them a place to live. They deserve to live somewhere,” Webb said.
However, Webb remains concerned that a traffic accident could occur.
