Surrounded by beautiful mountains and sparkling waters, Seattle is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. According to the documentary “Seattle Is Dying,” produced by local news outlet KOMO, the city’s appeal is giving way to rising crime, homelessness and stigma.
After previous documentaries covered issues related to homelessness and drug addiction, the outlet decided to focus on how these factors affect the quality of life for residents and what can be done to stem the tide of despair sweeping their beloved city.
The magnitude of the problem is staggering, and visual evidence of it can be found around nearly every corner. Garbage dumps hidden under overpasses, tents lining freeways, and distraught members of the homeless community yelling profanity on downtown streets.
The city has poured money into fighting the outbreak in communities, but those philanthropic efforts have had little impact. The film demonstrates the vast discrepancy between the reality of the streets and the city government’s options for action.
This department is at the heart of the film as the filmmakers attempt to develop a strategy to restore order to the area. They received comments from several reporting officers who wished to remain anonymous. The conditions on the streets are almost post-apocalyptic, with the criminal justice system limiting their ability to enforce the law effectively.
Of a random list of 100 repeat offenders, the filmmakers found that every single one was homeless and drug addicts. Most of the people tested were mentally ill. But most of them were repeatedly thrown back into society without censure or any kind of additional follow-up.
Seattle is Dying is not afraid to examine the harsh realities behind these issues. It has no intention of demonizing the weak. Instead, they question why the city can’t do more for them. Ultimately, the film advocates for tougher law enforcement and for more rehabilitation services for the city’s inmates and other vulnerable populations.
