Everett adds ‘no sit, no lie’ zone around children’s museum

EVERETT — The city of Everett expanded its “no-sit, no-lie” footprint Friday, as it established a new buffer around the Imagine Children’s Museum

An ordinance the City Council passed in 2021 made it illegal to sit, lie down, or give food, beverages and services of any sort to others without a permit on public property around the Everett Gospel Mission, in what was called a buffer zone.

In 2023, the City Council voted to give the mayor additional power to set other buffers zones.

The new “no sit, no lie” zone, located at 1502 Wall St. in downtown Everett, stretches from California Street to 33rd Street north to south, and from Grand Avenue to Oakes Avenue west to east.

It’s the fourth zone the mayor’s office has added since gaining that authority last year. The others are located around Compass Health on Lombard Avenue, Fred Meyer on Evergreen Way and Everett United Church of Christ on Everett Avenue. As of Oct. 22, Everett police had issued 30 warnings and four citations in the buffer zones put in place by the mayor since they first began.

The mayor is allowed to add buffer zones around spots “highly impacted by street-level issues.”

A “highly impacted” location is defined as having six or more “qualifying events” within six months. “Qualifying events” include reports of trespassing, lewd conduct, drug-related offenses, littering, obstructing streets or the presence of an encampment, among a number of others.

Civil rights and homeless advocates have spoken out against the zones, saying they cost taxpayers money and exacerbate the struggles homeless people experience. Unsheltered people have said the zones led to them losing touch with others, as well as service providers, because they had to move so often.

The city said it provides services to people within buffer zones. Those include outreach efforts via social workers, who try to connect people with services in Everett, like medical care, case management and help from the Department of Social and Health Services.

“One of the most important roles the City can play is acting as a facilitator, navigator and supporter. We can’t provide every service,” city spokesperson Simone Tarver said in an email. “But we can partner with providers and support their work in meaningful ways, while also helping guide individuals that are trying to access the services they need.”

Trespassing and trash has been an issue around the museum, said Elee Wood, the CEO of Imagine Children’s Museum, the epicenter of the buffer zone. Over the past few months, Wood has noticed things getting better, but believes the implementation of the zone will improve the safety and perceived safety for children visiting the museum, while providing resources and attention to those on the streets.

“We have responsibilities to be supportive of everyone,” Wood said. “I hope that people will see that this continues to be a place and we can continue to support the people that need the resources and attention they deserve as well.”

Sitting or lying down in a buffer zone is classified as a misdemeanor. Those in violation, after a warning, could face up to 90 days in jail and possible fines up to $500.

Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.