87% of Olympia Residents Unhappy with City’s Homeless Response

77% do not feel safe downtown at night and 70% support increased law enforcement presence

On June 12, 2021 the city of Olympia released the results of their yearly community survey which is designed to inform budget and policy priorities for the coming year.

The top issues are homelessness (84%), public safety (34%), housing affordability/access as well as the local economy and economic development (33%) in general. The discontent is deep and wide, people are upset the council is not paying enough attention to local government issues as they scramble to make Olympia more inclusive, “reimagine” public safety and spend thousands of dollars on equity departments and seminars.

The Artesian Commons in downtown Olympia has been closed for over two years over safety concerns after significant money was spent to develop it.

The survey was released at the end of a two day council retreat. The first day was spent on “Deep Listening for Equity and Inclusion” for two hours with additional introductory sessions. The council then had a group therapy session led highly paid diversity equity and inclusion consultants where they were taught simplistic concepts about empathy, “beholding” and self care through “filling the well.” Yes, the slide had an old-timey water pump and bucket.

It was cringe-worthy and in this reporter’s opinion, a complete waste of time for the 13 city employees present. The material presented was so…