Laird insists the city is not singling out Trinity United Methodist, but responsibly responding to complaints from residents near the church. He said this is the first time the encampment has been at a church in a residential neighborhood long enough for neighbors to follow through with complaints. In contrast, when the village was at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral on Capitol Hill for two separate six-week periods, there were no complaints. And the stays at other churches were much shorter, he said. One of the most vocal opponents in Ballard has been Jim Workman, who lives with his wife and two teenage daughters just a few doors south of the parking lot encampment.
Some residents drop cigarette butts on the street.
And he has found a banana peel and dog poop in his front yard since they arrived. Many of these people are users of the system. This whole thing has raised such a bad taste in my mouth that I'll be happy when they have gone on April 23. Residents also pledge to respect each other, keep the camp clean and volunteer to provide 24-hour security. Tent Village resident Ron Fulton, center, mingles with members of Trinity United Methodist Church after services.