TOUGH TOPIC: Homelessness in Sumner
It’s a topic on the minds of communities throughout the Northwest, and it’s a topic that is not new to Sumner. During the Great Depression, individuals, then termed “hoboes” and “tramps,” would come off the trains and gather down by the river behind the Cannery, when it was a cannery. What is the philosophy of the City of Sumner and the Sumner Police Department? This is a big topic, but here are a few very general overviews.
The term “homeless” is too broad to accurately describe varying situations. Chief Brad Moericke talks about the difference between unsheltered individuals and transients. Although they don’t have a physical address, unsheltered individuals identify Sumner as their home, typically have lived here for years and are well known as part of the community. Transients truly are “on the go” and passing through, usually on their way to Seattle. Sumner’s officers often know our unsheltered residents and also try to make contact with transients to understand their situation and help get them resources or headed in the right direction.
Being homeless is not a crime. Police officers still get calls, asking us to arrest someone “for being homeless” or appearing dirty or disheveled. That is not possible. Nor is it true that being homeless equals or assumes criminal activity. Sadly, as a Police department, we see crime committed by individuals in every socio-economic bracket.
Shared space is indeed shared space, which brings benefits and challenges. Our roads, sidewalks and parks are shared space available for everyone to enjoy regardless of economic, gender, or racial status. However, there are norms and laws to keep one individual’s enjoyment from interfering with another’s. That’s why we have laws against overnight camping as well as golfing in parks, skateboarding on sidewalks or consuming alcoholic beverages in public. The Council is considering no longer allowing smoking or vaping in parks. Again, these norms and rules apply to everyone.
What does all this mean for you? As always, please call police when something feels amiss. We maintain the motto that no call is too small. Collectively, you have more eyes and ears on the streets than we have officers, so let us know. Your call keeps us informed and may also give us an opportunity to check with someone new. Last year, a citizen called about a man living in his truck outside their home. The officer checked in with the man who was indeed homeless and a veteran experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Rather than just ask him to move along, our officer, also a vet, connected the man with resources. Today, the man is getting assistance through Veterans Affairs and living in an apartment.
What can you do to help? The most effective way to help is to volunteer, donate or simply ask what’s needed at existing organizations ranging from the Sumner Food Bank to the Emmanuel Food Pantry to St. Francis House in Puyallup or Exodus Housing in Sumner. Working together is much more effective than trying to provide food or clothing on your own. The City of Sumner and our employees support a number of efforts ranging from the Food Bank to the Sumner-Bonney Lake Family Center. We’d love to have you join us.
