The first day of school arrived last week and still the school district had not cleared the encampment of homeless individuals by Broadview-Thompson K-8 School. Parents are upset and why shouldn’t they be?

At the same time, the Seattle Times Editorial Board called on the city to ensure that city parks and amenities are cleared of illegal encampments – and that they stay that way.

King County Superior Court Chief Criminal Judge Sean O’Donnell had this question for the county council about the clearing of the encampment at City Hall Park:

“Once it opens up, what’s to prevent the scenario from returning to the status quo, because it’s an easy place to set up tents and for people to shelter?”

Looking around almost any neighborhood of Seattle shows that the status quo is not working. It’s not just, fair, or humane to let people continue to live in horrible conditions and engage in anti-social behavior without consequences.

City leaders need to change the status quo and make sure it never returns. First, for our schools and parks. Then for everyone else.