Kirkland parents demand action against growing homeless encampment

During a recent government meeting, Kirkland resident Tejal expressed deep concerns regarding the growing homeless encampment near North Lake Academy, where her children attend school. Since 2016, Tejal has been an active volunteer in the community, but she highlighted that the encampment, which has tripled in size over the past few months, poses significant safety and sanitary issues for the school community.

Tejal emphasized that approximately 200 children under the age of 11, along with their teachers and local businesses, are affected by the encampment's proximity. She reported that the children are unable to safely access a nearby playground, which has disrupted their daily activities and raised safety concerns among parents and educators.

Despite reaching out to city officials for assistance, Tejal described the responses as dismissive, stating that the situation is far from under control. She urged the city to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community, calling for a reassessment of the situation and more proactive measures to address the encampment's impact.

Tejal's testimony was part of a broader discussion at the meeting, where multiple speakers echoed similar sentiments regarding the need for urgent action to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the community surrounding North Lake Academy.