MyNorthwest Staff published an article called, “Thousands of needles cleaned up off streets of Seattle.” And in 15 months, 32,012 hypodermic syringes were collected in Seattle, WA. This is a big step in the right direction for Seattle to clean up their streets when it seems like it is only getting worse. There were 600 more overdose deaths this past March than in March of 2022 and Seattle Washington locals are speaking out about the finding of needles, trash, and other things left outside their doors and on their streets. They aren’t speaking out against anyone but starting the conversation about taking care of it themselves. Even pointing people towards the app fiditfixit. This app allows you to upload a request such as abandoned Vehicle/72-hour Parking Ordinance, Clogged Storm Drain, Dead animal, found pet, graffiti, illegal dumping/needles, and much more. These locals have come together through an app called, Nextdoor mobile application. A post made by Ellen Ta a resident of North Beacon Hill, posted a picture and asked what to do with the illegal dumping of trash, clothes, and needles. Here you can start conversations, get to know your neighbors, and even sell your things. Many topics like selling items, updates in the area, car break-ins, locations where assaults happen, and loud encounters with the homeless. These platforms like Nextdoor, Twitter, and Facebook are all asking the same question. What to do and is the city going to help?
Recently Seattle Washington’s city council rejected a bill that would have given the city attorney the ability to prosecute drug possession and public drug use. Does this mean that this is the reason so many locals are finding needles and other things littering the streets? Some locals think that this is a reason that these needles are being found more and more often. Why there isn’t any drug enforcement being out forward and things being cleaned up? The city council ruling doesn’t mean that the police can’t enforce the law against drug possession and use in public. All this means is that the prosecutor of these laws will be kept to King County. The arrest is up to the degression of the officer. In an article published in Office of the Mayor by Jamie Housen, interviewing Seattle Police Chief Adrian Z. Diaz and he is quoted, “We are committed to aggressively targeting the supply chain of fentanyl and other deadly drugs, and to support those struggling with addiction. It’s a dual approach to a complex problem; one that involves not just enforcement, but prevention, education, and treatment.”
Stories Along the Road 