Mercer Island considers homeless ordinance

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — The Mercer Island City Council is considering an ordinance that would prohibit camping on all public property, and direct homeless people to shelters in other cities.

City officials say the ordinance will help people living outdoors or in their cars, as well as address residents’ safety concerns. But an organized group of Mercer Island residents and the ACLU of Washington say the proposal criminalizes homelessness on the largely wealthy island, without addressing homelessness’ underlying causes, the Seattle Times reported.

Mercer Island City Councilmembers plan to deliberate and potentially vote Tuesday on the ordinance, which would prohibit camping or storing personal items in all public areas. The city currently prohibits camping in its parks, but not other sites.

Under the proposed ordinance, violations would be a misdemeanor offense, subject to fines of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. At a January City Council meeting, councilmembers voted 6-1 to move the ordinance forward for adoption, with Councilmember Craig Reynolds the sole “no” voter.

The rate of homelessness on Mercer Island, where the median household income is $147,566 among its 26,000 residents, is less than neighboring cities, though officials and residents say they’ve seen an uptick in recent years as the rate increases across King County.

Police officers interact with about four people on a specific, consistent basis who are staying in parks or other public spaces, Mercer Island Police Sgt. Mike Seifert said at a January meeting. Another six or seven who stay in vehicles on the island are consistently coming into contact with officers, he added.