A Seattle father has been left stunned after discovering a samurai sword left unattended at a homeless camp right outside his son's elementary school.
Ryle Goodrich told America's Newsroom Friday that he discovered the dangerous weapon during a walk through the encampment, which has sprung up outside the unidentified school.
'The encampment is completely unmanaged and out of control so I have to go through there every night and see what's going on,' a concerned Goodrich stated.
'This Sunday I walked through and I found a samurai sword lying upright next to a tent unattended.'
The dad snapped photos of his shocking discovery, with the images showing the sword stabbed into the ground beside a row of tents.
The father of a Seattle student has been left stunned after discovering a samurai sword left unattended at a homeless camp right outside his son's elementary school on Sunday
Goodrich claimed that the police and fire department have shown up at the encampment on four consecutive nights within the past week, due to instances of 'fighting, defecation and drug use'.
With Seattle's schools finally reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, Goodrich says he and other parents are concerned for the safety of their young kids.
'[On Thursday] At our encampment, a parks worker was attacked by two people living there and again the police had to come,' he stated.
'This is a very unsafe environment. There is a lot else that's going on there. Doesn't belong anywhere near schools and again the attack yesterday happened during school hours for all the kids to see at recess. They've got a front-row seat,' Goodrich proclaimed.
He also told America's Newsroom that there was a shooting at a separate homeless encampment in Seattle earlier this week.
Goodrich claimed that the police and fire department had shown up at the encampment four nights in a row the previous week, saying that there had been instances of 'fighting, defecation and drug use'
Goodrich's complaints come just three weeks after it was revealed that the homeless population in Washington state rose in 2020 by more than six per cent - or about three times the national average
Seattle and King County ranked third in the country among urban areas in the number of total people experiencing homelessness, according to the report
Goodrich's complaints come just three weeks after it was revealed that the homeless population in Washington state rose in 2020 by more than six per cent - or about three times the national average.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a report which revealed the shocking figure.
Seattle and King County ranked third in the country among urban areas in the number of total people experiencing homelessness, according to the report.
Seattle mayoral spokesperson Kamaria Hightower admitted after the release of the report that the issue was plaguing politicians.
Hightower said the city has increased the amount of resources it has devoted to the problem, though 'we know that Seattle is serving more and more individuals from outside of Seattle and King County, especially individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.'
'There is a great need across the region and Seattle cannot be the only city investing in affordable housing, supportive services, and shelter resources,' Hightower said.
There are reported to be at least 4,500 'chronically homeless' people in Seattle, but that number is believed to have ballooned during the past year
Outdoor camps in Seattle appear to have proliferated throughout the last year as shelters have been forced to downsize and space people out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are reported to be at least 4,500 'chronically homeless' people in Seattle, but that number is believed to have ballooned during the past year.
However, the exact figures will not be determined because this year will be the first since at least 1980 there won't be a count of people living outside in Seattle.
The homeless census happens every January and provides a snapshot of how many people are living outdoors and in shelters within King County.
However, HUD granted permission to King County to not conduct the count over concerns around exposing volunteers and people being counted to the coronavirus.
Outdoor camps in Seattle appear to have proliferated throughout the last year as shelters have been forced to downsize and space people out due to the COVID-19 pandemic
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