Unhoused residents and trans community members urge concrete action at Olympia council meeting

A stream of public commenters on April 14 told the Olympia City Council that proclamations and symbolic gestures are not enough to protect vulnerable residents, and urged concrete protections and services.

CC (Cece) Coats, who said she has lived in Olympia 35 years and is currently living in a van, told the council she is disabled and has been stalked and harassed. "I am homeless. I am disabled, and I'm living in a van," she said, adding that repeated contacts with a person who uses homelessness services and the police have made her feel unsafe and that her church has offered support but legal barriers limit options.

Speakers who followed described the overlap between the houseless and trans communities and urged the city to ensure sanctuary language matches protective action. Stephanie Scott, who identified herself as a LISI resident and the mother of a 23‑year‑old trans adult, said: "Sanctuary should mean Cece can sleep without being threatened." Several neighborhood representatives — including Jacob De Montefin and Eric Cedar — asked the city to redirect resources and to hold the police accountable for harassment claims.

Mayor Dante Payne responded that the city manager and police chief will be asked to engage directly with Cece and her supporters and noted existing civilian oversight for the police. Mayor Payne said: "I have asked [the chief] to speak with you, just to get more of an understanding of what's going on with your experience and how we might work together." He also acknowledged limits on guarantees of safety while stressing the council’s intent to address vulnerabilities.

No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond offering staff follow‑up: the mayor and Mayor Pro Tem invited the police chief and assistant city manager to meet with the commenter and supporters following the session. Commenters requested broader policy changes, including additional shelter options, enforcement against harassment, and operationalized sanctuary protections.