ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Well, it has been a while since the last Crossing Division podcast. We felt we were becoming too cynical about our local government, and we needed a break (check out Kitchen253.com). But these are hard times in our country, and information about local civic action is critical to safeguarding our community. So, here we are…
Host Evelyn Lopez sits down with Rob Huff from the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to discuss a proposal to expand Tacoma’s “camping ban” to cover almost all of downtown Tacoma and many areas that were not covered by the 2022 ban. A camping ban is not about s’mores and ghost stories around the campfire. It’s about criminalizing living unhoused, on the streets. It’s about making the poorest in our city criminals simply because they have run out of options. It is not compassionate. It is not kind.
Rob describes the reality of available shelter beds and emergency facilities for winter extreme cold days. There are not many, and this ban would make things much worse. People are dying, and this ban will not do anything to help.
The proposal comes before the Tacoma City Council for their October 14, 2025 meeting. The prime sponsor is Councilmember Hines, who is running for Mayor. Is this all just a campaign stunt in the week before ballots drop? Or does it reflect a new level of callousness on our city council? Listen to the discussion and let us know what you think.
Evelyn Lopez: truetacoma@gmail.com or find me on social media @true_tacoma
