Court Dismisses King County's Lawsuit Against Burien

A federal judge dismissed King County's lawsuit against Burien over the enforcement of a homeless camping ban, ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling insists the ordinance should be enforced immediately, criticizing the sheriff's office for not adhering to city law. The ordinance, passed in March, creates 500-foot buffer zones around public spaces where camping is prohibited. King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall has refrained from enforcing the ban, citing unresolved constitutional concerns. The court's decision leaves these concerns unaddressed, and Burien's counter-lawsuit has been moved back to a local court. Despite the federal ruling, King County has not indicated any plans to change its enforcement stance on the ordinance.