Homeless Camp By George Sellar Bridge Continues Amid State, Legal Hurdles

Wenatchee police and the City of Wenatchee continue to receive complaints about the homeless camp just off of the George Sellar Bridge next to the Salvation Army Social Service Office.

Nearby resident Kim Martin spoke to the city council Thursday night and said she has seen drug deals and prostitution at the camp and neighbors feel unsafe.

"There was one motor home and now there are two." stated Martin, "There are piles of garbage, shopping carts, empty propane tanks, human waste, hypodermic needles, etc."

The city has asked the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), who owns the property, repeatedly to trespass the occupants of the camp, but WSDOT has denied that request.

Mayor Frank Kuntz explained that even if the camp was on city land, they would still not be able to trespass the camp's occupants until a low barrier shelter is available, per state law.

"Listen, we can't even mow Locomotive Park without bringing out police officers down to protect our (parks department) people," added Kuntz.