Radio Host Threatens Seattle Councilmembers Over RV Ordinance

SEATTLE, WA - A Seattle-area radio host is encouraging his listeners to participate in "a little social activism" and dump old, unused RVs in front of the homes of Seattle City Councilmembers. KIRO host Dori Monson's plan - which he calls "my greatest idea ever" - is meant to shame the Council away from updating city rules that penalize people who live in vehicles. Amid Seattle's homelessness crisis, a substantial number of people live in campers and and other vehicles parked around Seattle.

On Wednesday at the Council's Human Services Committee meeting, Councilman Mike O'Brien presented the results of his Vehicle Living Work Group study on issue. According to his report, about 1,550 people in Seattle use a vehicle for shelter. Additionally, O'Brien is working on an ordinance that would loosen parking restrictions for people using vehicles for shelter has created a draft ordinance that would deprioritize penalizing people who live in cars and RVs if they participate in the city's "Vehicular Residences Program."

That program would provide "outreach and supportive services to people living inside vehicles," according to the draft.

The Council isn't likely to take up O'Brien's still-draft ordinance soon. But Monson used a segment of his show Wednesday to stoke outrage over the prospect of people living in Seattle in cars and RVs without penalty. According to Monson, one of his listeners dubbed his effort "Breaking Dori," a reference to the RV in the show "Breaking Bad" that was used to cook methamphetamine. Monson has called the RVs parked in Seattle "drug-infested"

Seattle homeless - whether they are living in cars, tents, or elsewhere - have been met with scorn by some city residents. The group Safe Seattle, whose founder, Harley Lever, ran for Seattle mayor this year, has sought to make a "map" of the homeless living in Seattle. The group is firmly against O'Brien's draft ordinance, but has distanced itself from Monson's RV-dump plan.

Monson says that, if the ordinance passes, he's ready to commence the RV dumping. He said he's arranged for tow companies to donate services to tow RVs to the homes of Seattle Councilmembers.

"We will find homeless people to populate the council members’ streets. So we’ll be engaging in a little social activism, and be getting people off the streets. If [O'Brien's ordinance] passes, we’ll make sure the first RV is sited on Mike O’Brien’s Fremont street," Monson said, according to MyNorthwest.com.

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