1. 

   ynh98107
   

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   The following is a count of the Ballard area presumed inhabited vehicles. This includes areas generally south of NW 65th Street, west of 5th Avenue NW, east of 15th Avenue NW, the area around the old Hyundai dealership, down to Salmon Bay. These statistics includes enclaves of 14th Avenue NW Median, Ballard Industrial Area, Ballard Industrial Area (West), Department of Social and Health Services, Fred Meyer, Goodwill / 8th Avenue NW, NW Leary Way, Safeway, Seattle City Light, and of course Sunset Bowl / Ballard Market.

   This number includes a total of 99 presumed inhabited vehicles.

   • 73 have been present in the last 3 months
   • 26 are MIA, but have been spotted since summer 2009
   • 4 in the 14th Avenue NW Median; 11 in the Ballard Industrial Area (east of 15th Avenue NW); 6 in the Ballard Industrial Area (west of 15th Avenue NW); 09 near Department of Social and Health Services building; 7 in and around Fred Meyer; 7 near and along Goodwill / 8th Avenue NW; 06 near NW Leary Way; 8 near Safeway Ballard, 19 around Seattle City Light; 22 around Sunset Bowl / Ballard Market
   • 2 Two-Door Cars, 1 Four-Door Car; 17 Campers; 1 Mini-Bus; 7 Mini-Vans; 26 Motor Homes; 6 Pickup Trucks; 6 Pickup Trucks with Camper; 3 Pickup Trucks with Canopy; 3 School Buses; 1 Station Wagon; 1 SUV; 1 Trailer; 24 Vans
   • 44 of them are clearly hoarding junk and garbage (cannot see inside RVs)
   • 2 have out-of-state plates
   • Public records show that at least 3 persons own multiple vehicles (i.e., the Sunset Bowl group of 5 vehicles are actually registered to just 2 people)

   Some additional interesting facts include:
   • One individual, has incurred 130 city citations (guess where)
   • Another individual, has incurred 48 city citations
   • Another individual, has incurred 213 city citations (car farmer, not included in these stats)

   Posted 3 years ago #
2. 

   BriarRose
   

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   The cliche is overused I know but you REALLY need to get out more. It's a holiday weekend and the rain is light....

   Posted 3 years ago #
3. 

   sunset
   

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   And we care about these statistics because??? Is this all you have to do? Briar is right - get out there and enjoy life and not count the less fortunates who don't have a roof over their head like you. And in this day and age, you could be one paycheck away from being one of your statistics. Just think about that.

   Posted 3 years ago #
4. 

   ynh98107
   

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   Yes, I must get out and enjoy the weekend. I am working on many other fun things too. This is just for anyone who does find it interesting and may find it useful. I know there are folks out there that do. If not, so be it.

   Posted 3 years ago #
5. 

   Ballard Giant
   

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   I, for one, appreciate these stats. If you are one paycheck away from financial ruin with no friends or family to turn to, then you have saved poorly and pissed off everyone around you. There are, of course, some exceptions.

   If you don't care for stats, don't read the post. It's pretty simple.

   Thanks, ynh98107!

   Posted 3 years ago #
6. 

   lyl
   

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   I love stats! Thanks. I don't want to harass anyone who is down on their luck, neither do I want them sh**tting in my garbage can area in the alley. Where do you think these people relieve themselves? Yup. We had the van that has been painted many times and must be pushed (not drivable) living on our block awhile this fall.

   Posted 3 years ago #
7. 

   sunset
   

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   LYL - sorry for spouting off. Uncalled for. There's a reason why I did but I don't want to get into it with others. Just want to say after you said where they relieve themselves, I agree with you on that situation.
   So I apologize.

   Posted 3 years ago #
8. 

   lyl
   

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   Oh gee sunset, you didn't spout off at me, it was the OP. And believe me, I do know people who have lost just about everything. And it could happen to any of us. All you need is one big illness or injury to: lose your job, be forced into bankruptcy, end up at a food bank to feed yourself. That is why single payer health insurance is such a big issue for me. No one should have to be in the poor house because of medical bills. This country is sick in the head for not providing health care as a HUMAN RIGHT. OOps, I don't mean to imply that any or all of these homeless are there because of medical bankruptcy. Oops, didn't mean to hijack thread either. Sunset, I do appreciate your tender heart and kindness.

   Posted 3 years ago #
9. 

   sunset
   

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   Thank you, lyl. And for the record - I am in agreeance with you regarding health care! A little sensitive on my part before because I have somefriends who are going to end up in their RV (and a small one) as they are losing their home, their jobs. And I don't have the funds to help them to save their home nor room to put them up - which breaks my heart. I do what I can for them but it's not enough - and they are struggling and trying to do anything and everything they can to save their home. It's hard to stand by and watch this. I feel so helpless.

   Posted 3 years ago #
10. 

    Durango
    

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    ynh98107 - just curious- what is the source of your stats?

    Posted 3 years ago #
11. 

    BriarRose
    

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    If this person cared about these poeple he/she would not be peering into their windows. "44 of them are clearly hoarding junk and garbage (cannot see inside RVs)"

    Posted 3 years ago #
12. 

    Ballard Giant
    

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    BR
    Perhaps in some crazy scheme to comply with safety laws the cars had CLEAR windows and he/she was able to see through them!

    Posted 3 years ago #
13. 

    I dont know Jack
    

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    BR
    What's your point? The OP never said if s/he cared about these people or not.

    And even if they did say they cared, how does peering into their windows = not caring?

    AND, how does looking through glass on a vehicle parked on a public right-of-way = peering?

    Posted 3 years ago #
14. 

    AtheistGoddess
    

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    I also thank you for those stats. And based on your information, it looks like this has been a hobby for a while - so thanks for a continued effort to keep those of us that are interested informed.

    Posted 3 years ago #
15. 

    onederfullone
    

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    I propose an adopt an rv program. You have the right to select one of many. You may have it parked in your yard, in front of your house, thereby able to connect it to power, water, etc. You could make sure that they have an outlet for their refuse. You could require upkeep in the yard, other chores that you need handled. It's the only thing I can suggest that's redeemable. Give it a thought.
    Currently they get pushed around, their numbers are increasing, and what's going on isn't working for anybody.
    As far as health care, they get free emergency room access. Primary care is probably not a priority for them, if it is, DSHS has clinics.
    Thanks for the stats, the condition of the situation is better known.

    Posted 3 years ago #
16. 

    ynh98107
    

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    Durango: "just curious- what is the source of your stats?" - The stats of the actual vehicle counts are from personal, physical, manual counts over several sweeps (yes, this outs me as not having better things to do). The city citations numbers come from cross referencing license plate numbers with owner citations (all public records online).

    BriarRose: I suppose the hoarding is subject to opinion. I apologize if this observation was intrusive, but anyone simply driving by can see the garbage pressed against the windows. I have no interest in seeing inside the vehicles.

    Posted 3 years ago #
17. 

    teigyr
    

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    We've kept stats on the vehicles on our street and learned that over the past few years, over 50 cars have been kept on the streets by one person. We were able to hand that info over to code enforcement and the state troopers who were then able to pursue whatever was going on. The cars would come and go so there would only be 7-8 out at one time but it was pretty annoying. I don't know how it was resolved but I do know one person who lived in the apartment building left after the investigation. The parking enforcement people were really grateful of the work my husband put into the spreadsheet. That information is useful and thank you for taking the time to compile it.

    I don't peer into car or RV windows but as I run by them, I can tell if they're lived in (windows fogged) or if junk is piled up in them. I don't want to look in, it's creepy. Also though it's equally creepy to have an RV that doesn't appear to run just sitting there for months. I keep thinking of those missing persons cases and would anyone know if there was something bad in there?

    No offense to those who need help getting on their feet but a lot of the vehicles I see appear to be from owners looking for a free place to store it. Of the people who live in their RVs, I know it's a hardship but couldn't they live in front of a friend's house? And throw their trash away? There's one I see near our house that frequently has used personal hygiene products tossed out the back door. Ick.

    Posted 3 years ago #
18. 

    wildernessbarbie
    

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    Thanks for posting this info, it's eye opening to see how widespread this has become. Thanks for not making it personal and keeping it to the facts without personal judgment (speculation is different).

    I assume you have license plate numbers on file as well? They may come in handy... when one of these shows up parked in front of someone's house and poop and maxi pads in the front yard, they'll be coming back and wanting more info!

    What I wish I could say to them: You can be poor, and stuck living in your RV because of bad luck, bad decisions, or both, but that's no excuse for living in filth and soiling the neighborhood. Show a little self respect, and it'll be easier for others to have some for you as well.

    Posted 3 years ago #
19. 

    ynh98107
    

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    teigyr: I also keep stats on car farmer / junk vehicles, albeit not in my stats on this post. This is another subject, which I consider a different community issue, that is dear to my heart. Currently, I have only 19 recorded (not in the posted stats), albeit only keeping track of those closer to my immediate vicinity. I only know of two car farmers in the Ballard area, but I am sure there are more. I actually knew one of them personally. I wonder if the one person who has 213 citations is the one you are referring to? You don't have to mention where you live, but I would be interested in the general area.

    Posted 3 years ago #
20. 

    dingogirl
    

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    What is the definition of car farmer? Sorry,I am pleading ignorance here.
    Thanks ynh98107 for posting your stats. I find them very interesting

    Posted 3 years ago #
21. 

    teigyr
    

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    wb - exactly, you said it wonderfully.

    ynh98107, I'm not actually in Ballard. The secret is out :) We're North Seattle, north of 105th between Greenwood & Phinney. Our guy has a lot of citations mostly for no insurance, speeding (and speeding through school zones) and reckless driving. What amazed me was the labyrinth I had to go through in order to find who would be responsible for stopping the car surplus, midnight tow-ups, parts swapping in front of the house, etc. It was a father/son operation with the son being the dominate force. He's the one who disappeared. The father is still here and cars come and go (he has maybe 8-9 right now) but it has scaled back decidedly and he's more subtle. I started going out there and taking pictures as he was doing his business transactions. I don't think his clients liked it :) What really worked too along with the spreadsheet was pictures. The trooper and code enforcement had me e-mail all pictures to prove what was going on.

    you'd think with all his car parts he'd find a muffler that would work and then use it on his daily driver car. you'd think.

    Back to RVs. Remember that story that a body was found in a van near Carkeek? Beyond the trashing of the streets and the leaky oil from barely running RV's, I think about that stuff.

    Posted 3 years ago #
22. 

    OingoBoingo
    

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    Thank you ynh90107. Your diligence with keeping tabs on these 'live aboards' seems all right with me. Keep on keepin' on. Monthly reports would be nice.

    Posted 3 years ago #
23. 

    ynh98107
    

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    DingoGirl, et al.: Car Farmer = someone who buys, collects, and parts out vehicles as a business effort to earn money. The Ballard Forum who the first place where I heard this phrase coined and adopted it. The local "car farmers" in question, who are usually working from a home or apartment, and without business permits, have been a subject of forum discussion. Although another issue entirely, a definite good discussion, especially when someone has multiple junk cars in front of your property. See http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=426 for more information.

    Posted 3 years ago #
24. 

    SPG
    

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    There were a couple bodies found in an RV in Ballard on 8th a few years ago too, heroin overdose I believe. There was also the guy beaten to death while sleeping in his truck by another car camper a couple years ago. From all my dealings with the car campers years ago they were, with very rare exceptions, a rough bunch. The car camper rolling around the neighborhood having to move every three days has burned all their bridges with family and friends and is avoiding the RV park so they can save the money for drugs. Not exactly the type I want camped out in front of my house.

    Posted 3 years ago #
25. 

    Observant
    

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    YNH98107, thanks for taking the time to keep track of this and post it. Know that many of your neighbors really appreciate it.

    I've talked to the SPD about this myself, and they said what SPG said, namely that most of the folks camping out on the streets in their vehicles are avoiding rent so they can have more money for booze and drugs. Having had the notorious beige-then-lavender-then- beige again van nearly on my doorstep for a while, I can offer first hand accounts that that was true in that case. And the pile of human waste on the street and sidewalk. NO thanks.

    Posted 3 years ago #
26. 

    just_another_norwegian
    

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    ynh98107, thank you for your work on this issue. I'm one of your (many) neighbors who really appreciates it.

    If we don't do what we can to help keep Ballard from turning into a scummy dystopia, it will become just that.

    Posted 3 years ago #
27. 

    marigold
    

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    Couldn't this be taken care of if we had zoned parking...and city parking stickers, like Chicago? It would take care of the car farmers and car campers pretty quickly.

    Posted 3 years ago #
28. 

    just_another_norwegian
    

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    There's no need to implement an expensive, inconvenient new program that will just make life more difficult for residents (wait - you're not from the city government, are you). The problem is not 99.99999 of the vehicles parked lawfully by residents. the problem is a relative handful of low-lifes who relieve themselves on the sidewalks and your yard because they're too lazy and inconsiderate to try to get along.

    In most cases it's already illegal to park these run-down vehicles where they're parked (anything over 72" wide, IIRC, and they're in violation). The city just doesn't do anything about it, and in some cases the people living in them know enough to play the game (just push the dead vehicle down one block every few weeks ahead of the cops).

    A better solution would be to simply ban living in any vehicle on the city streets.

    But the Bumvocates would never stand for that. The city must cater to the sidewalk-crappers and the folks who actually have a stake in their neighborhood can go to hell.

    Welcome to Ballard. Watch where you step.

    Posted 3 years ago #
29. 

    phantom_blut_2
    

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    I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Just to say a little about all you haters/libellers out here in fun-loveing Ballard!
    I know a lot of the so-called"vagrants"and slandered/libelled "dopers"whom are the apparent subject of this thread.
    Interesting comments about,how,the destitute are some-how cutting costs by scrimping to have more money for beer or drugs.
    Strange,I never see the homeless drinking in public,but,maybe I don't watch them close enough.
    Most of the druggies seem to be liveing in houses.
    Many open drug users appear to be "slummers"from Queen Anne,Magnolia,Sunset Hill,etc.
    I'll keep trying to I.D.some of You's personal family members I see openly drinking/drugging in their jalopies in Ballard,and see if they out-number the homeless.
    "Da_Phantom_Blut_2".
    PS:My REAL E-Mail:
    [randiO088(at)aim.com]

    Posted 3 years ago #

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