Seattle to Nickelsville: Get out or pay
SEATTLE -- The city is taking a tougher stance against the homeless camp known as Nickelsville. And this time, those who help them could face hundreds of dollars in fines.
Theresa and Aaron Colyer have moved their tent seven times in the last eight days and now they'll have to tear down and set up somewhere else.
"If we're asked to leave, then we will leave and we will do so peacefully," said Aaron.
And they have been asked to leave. The United Indians of All Tribes has asked Nickelsville to leave its land inside Discovery. And if Nickelsville residents are not out by the end of the week, the city says it will impose fines.
But the city's threats are not enough to get Theresa Rollins to pack up her things.
"Absolutely not," she said. "This is just paperwork as far as we're concerned and this is just the beginning of a very very big thing that is not going away."
"I think it's kind of funny in a way, it's sad," Aaron Colyer said. "They're talking about fining homeless people who already don't have any money. So I guess fine me if you want I don't know how I'll pay it."
David Bloom, a member of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness, is one of almost a dozen individuals being held personally responsible. He could face a fine of $150 per day if Nickelsville residents don't move out.
Blooms said he has been trying to reach a resolution with the city for months to no avail.
"We have been over the many many months," he said. "We've been trying to engage the city in dialogue. The mayor will not talk."
The fines will worsen as time goes on. Ten days after the city's first notice, the fines will increase to $500 a day.
The city's final notice will apply to all future encampments within city limits, and will state that no notice will be required for future campsite removals.
Theresa and Aaron Colyer have moved their tent seven times in the last eight days and now they'll have to tear down and set up somewhere else.
"If we're asked to leave, then we will leave and we will do so peacefully," said Aaron.
And they have been asked to leave. The United Indians of All Tribes has asked Nickelsville to leave its land inside Discovery. And if Nickelsville residents are not out by the end of the week, the city says it will impose fines.
But the city's threats are not enough to get Theresa Rollins to pack up her things.
"Absolutely not," she said. "This is just paperwork as far as we're concerned and this is just the beginning of a very very big thing that is not going away."
"I think it's kind of funny in a way, it's sad," Aaron Colyer said. "They're talking about fining homeless people who already don't have any money. So I guess fine me if you want I don't know how I'll pay it."
David Bloom, a member of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness, is one of almost a dozen individuals being held personally responsible. He could face a fine of $150 per day if Nickelsville residents don't move out.
Blooms said he has been trying to reach a resolution with the city for months to no avail.
"We have been over the many many months," he said. "We've been trying to engage the city in dialogue. The mayor will not talk."
The fines will worsen as time goes on. Ten days after the city's first notice, the fines will increase to $500 a day.
The city's final notice will apply to all future encampments within city limits, and will state that no notice will be required for future campsite removals.