LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Comparing Burienites to Nazis - REALLY?

The City of Burien allots the largest percentage of its annual budget to the homeless of 39 cities in King County.

This letter is from Burien-News reader Dr. C. Edgar.[NOTE FROM EDITOR: Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Burien-News or Daniel Media. If you wish to submit a story, photo, article or letter, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.]by Dr. C. Edgar, verified Burien ResidentRecently, a Burien resident claimed that Burien isn’t “hostile to homelessness, it is hostile to the homeless,” comparing the Burien Council and residents to Nazis and fascists in their treatment of homeless individuals.The letter [posted on a different Burien media site, entitled “LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘From the citizens to the council, Burien isn’t hostile to homelessness, it is hostile to the homeless’”dated March 26, 2024] was filled with anecdotal and hyperbolic accusations about how awful Burienites are behaving towards people who have taken over their public and private spaces, but the author does not cite any supporting data or figures to support their sensational or irrational notions. The writer throws hateful and guilt-filled barbs at Burien residents who dare to have homes and businesses. However, he does not acknowledge that the non-Burien people who have come to Burien to populate the streets bring in illegal activity and are driving away the very customers that are paying for services. The writer does not ask the “housing first” and “harm reduction” advocates who pass out tents, food and drug paraphernalia to hold street residents accountable for their actions. Instead, advocates are simply enabling them, feeding their addictions, encouraging them to stay put – “knowing their rights.” And now we have had two overdose deaths in Burien in less than a month.South King County cities, including Burien, have been accused of not caring for its homeless population commensurate with the “regional crisis.” Ironically, the following Seattle Times article shows that Burien, by percentage of city budgets, has been pulling much more than its own weight in homeless services. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/does-seattle-bear-the-burden-of-king-countys-homelessness-kinda/

Homeless services spending in King County 2021 was compared across 39 cities. BURIEN came in at the top of how much it spends by percentage... 2.2%... and it has only increased since.For a city with a 32 million dollar budget, with a tax base that relies heavily on business taxes from its small businesses, it is indeed confusing that advocates are pushing homeless individuals to the streets, in front of businesses that fund their lifestyle.Burien residents are tired, saddened, and exhausted by those homeless individuals who continue to be influenced by Cydney Moore and Charles Schaefer to not accept shelter and help from real, true and proven agencies that help homeless people out of mental illness, drug addiction, crime, depression and despair. There are sheltering services available - right now - with open spaces - that continue to offer them help. Sadly, these homeless people refuse legitimate assistance at every turn.[NOTE FROM EDITOR: If you wish to submit a story, photo, article or letter, please contact us. Even if you wish to remain anonymous, please include your name and phone number so we may contact you privately. We look forward to hearing from you.]