Homeless youths build relations with area police at 'Donut' forum
Jaclyn Mellon, 18, fled an abusive father in Allentown, Pa., when she was 12. Homeless for much of the past six years, she recently put her baby up for adoption and is now trying to get off the streets.
"I go every place," Mellon said. "But I always come back to Seattle."
Mellon is part of a homeless youth population that tends to increase each summer in Seattle. An estimated 500 to 800 young people, ages 18 to 26, live on the streets.
Calling themselves "gutter punks," they often travel along the West Coast and land in Seattle for the same reasons others settle here: It's friendly, hip and full of young people.
Many have been homeless for several years. They often camp, spend the nights in shelters, live out of cars, or "squat" at the homes of friends. Sometimes unruly, and usually unwanted, the youths can be hard to miss, especially on Capitol Hill and in the University District.
Seattle police and street kids met yesterday afternoon on Capitol Hill for a "Donut Dialogue," an occasional forum that brings homeless youths together with police or local merchants to discuss problems and work on developing a better understanding of one another. It is the fourth such meeting since 2000.
"With summer coming, we decided it was important to bring it back because of the increased problems between homeless kids and police in the community," said Elaine Simons, executive director and co-founder of Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets.
Over pizza, doughnuts, sodas and other refreshments, some 30 police officers and homeless youths tried to find common ground.
Capitol Hill merchants recently have complained about trashed bathrooms, tips disappearing from restaurant tables, urination in doorways, graffiti and aggressive panhandling.
Youths counter that they are profiled and picked on by police, who fail to show them respect or courtesy.
Police say some homeless youths disobey the city's civility laws, which forbid sleeping on sidewalks, public urination and the like. Police also explained the futility of arguing with officers.
"On the street, there is no debate," said Officer Len Carver. "It's the officer's way or the way to King County Jail."
Some youths said that was unfair.
"No matter what we do, we're in violation of some kind of law," said Keith "Fungus" Tardy, 31.
Police told the youths that if they keep a low profile, they probably would not have many police encounters. Police and the youths also talked about preconceptions they have about each other.
"They're filthy," Officer Tim Greeley said of street youths. Asked to elaborate, he said many are "dirty and smelly."
The youths at Greeley's table liked his answer. They said it was honest.
Neither side made promises but just wanted to improve the present situation.
"The faces will change," said Jessica "Jecca" Classen. "We've got to make things better on the Hill."
Sarah Anne Wright: 206-464-2752 or swright@seattletimes.com