Burien PD Recovers Stolen Motorcycle from Dow's Burien-based Homeless Camp

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June 12, 2024

Burien's homeless-related crimes continue.

by Katie Kresly. "This morning, Burien detectives recovered a stolen motorcycle," according Brandon Hull, Communications Manager at the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO).[caption id="attachment_18769" align="aligncenter" width="625"]

Stolen motorcycle at KC homeless camp in Burien 6/12/24 (photo courtesy of downtown Burien resident)[/caption]This comes on the heels of Chief Ted Boe's announcement on June 11 that he is leaving KCSO and Burien Police Department, and City of Des Moines' announcement that they are hiring him.Onlookers watched as the motorcycle was towed away, and suspects were detained at the homeless encampment across from the Burien Police Department and District Courthouse. One suspect "was subsequently booked into jail." Also according to the KCSO, "the motorcycle has been returned to its owner."[caption id="attachment_18770" align="aligncenter" width="804"]

Stolen Motorcycle being towed from KC homeless encampment in Burien 6/12/24 (photo courtesy of downtown Burien resident)[/caption]We asked the courthouse security guards what happened this morning, and they were not sure about the details. However, regarding support services, they observed that Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) make regular visits to the encampment to offer supportive services, although few accept the recovery services because "they cannot be forced."As for community outreach, the unarmed guards have seen several agencies and volunteer groups, including the church across the street, regularly provide food and water to the campers.They said that the police were "cracking down" on drug activity, especially since the recent drug bust.However, trash has been piling up, so they were happy to report that the county plans to remove garbage at least once per week (and possibly twice) to keep the homeless campers safe and "comfortable."The homeless camp at 148th and 6th Street in Burien has been actively growing for approximately two months. It had expanded onto the Courthouse parking lot, so on May 16th, 25 homeless tents were consolidated and fenced in by KC. "No camping" signs were posted in the rest of the parking lot.Since that date, the amount of tents has nearly doubled from 25 to nearly 50. The county has yet to provide basic human services, or respond to our questions about their intention for the property use.Up until this spring, the KC property was dedicated to serving Burien as KC partnered with Burien and the environmentalists to provide an environmentally friendly "rain garden." Now it serves as a camp to contain the homeless who continue to flock to Burien.[caption id="attachment_18775" align="aligncenter" width="641"]