Homeless and activists hold vigil outside Aberdeen City Hall

Participants remember friend and publicly demonstrate to keep spotlight on needs of area homeless

By Terri Harber • September 30, 2016 11:30 pm
Terri Harber/Daily News A table top used to remember Brooke Sandback outside Aberdeen City Hall on Wednesday night. About 40 people held a candle light vigil to remember the man who is presumed dead after jumping into the Hoquiam River to avoid authorities in Hoquiam and remind the community about the plight of the local homeless population.
Terri Harber/Daily News A table top used to remember Brooke Sandback outside Aberdeen City Hall on Wednesday night. About 40 people held a candle light vigil to remember the man who is presumed dead after jumping into the Hoquiam River to avoid authorities in Hoquiam and remind the community about the plight of the local homeless population.

Members of the local homeless community and activists working to help them came together this week in front of Aberdeen City Hall to remember a friend and to pray publicly for a solution that would providing homeless people a safe place to stay.

Brooke Sandback, 35, the Hoquiam man who is presumed drowned after he jumped in the Hoquiam River two weeks ago while fleeing from police, was known among homeless people in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, said Pastor Sarah Monroe of Chaplains on the Harbor, which ministers to the homeless and advocates for their needs and welfare.

“He was one of us,” she said Wednesday evening.

Sandback was avoiding police who were pursuing him on Sept. 14 because of an outstanding felony warrant from the Department of Corrections. He had managed to elude authorities the night before but he was wearing cold-weather clothing and a backpack while trying to swim across the river. An officer saw him slip beneath the water and officials searched for him for several days.

Monroe and Rev. Val Metropoulos of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, have said repeatedly that a significant number of the people who camped along the river are actively avoiding law enforcement as a result of substance abuse, theft and other offenses. Many others have been the victims of crimes, suffer from physical ailment, mental health challenges, or are among the long-term unemployed.

The candle lighting and prayer for Sandback included these wishes for Sandback, a former commercial fisherman who attended Hoquiam High School and Grays Harbor College: “Rest in Peace” and “Rise in Power.”

A small table held candles and a picture of him.

Holding the event outside of city hall before the council meeting also was to reinforce awareness of the plight the homeless to city officials as well as to residents and passersby.

Owners of private property along the Chehalis River in Aberdeen have told these people to relocate their campsites after squatting on these private properties for extended periods of time. Scores of them have been displaced as a result, Monroe explained.

“We want to keep this issue on people’s minds,” Monroe said.

A few people held up signs when they didn’t have candles in their hands.

One of the signs read, “Everyone needs a place to live.”

Metropoulos led a prayer that asked for understanding.

Officials with the city of Aberdeen have been working with activists and some of the homeless residents who were displaced to find a new location for them to stay. Aberdeen has suggested they form a non-profit group to acquire and manage such a location so it’s operated within the parameters of local health and safety codes.

Several homeless people spoke about Sandback and their own life challenges.

“We’re people, too,” said one man. “We need someplace where we can just be.”

Activists also talked to the homeless people and made sure they had food to eat after the prayers — including one for “abundant life” — and lead group singalongs.

Sandback’s loved ones held a memorial service for him on Friday in Hoquiam.

Terri Harber/Daily News About 40 people held a candle light vigil to remember Brooke Sandback and remind the community about the plight of the local homeless population.

Terri Harber/Daily News About 40 people held a candle light vigil to remember Brooke Sandback and remind the community about the plight of the local homeless population.

Terri Harber/Daily World A sign held toward the street outside of Aberdeen City Hall on Wednesday night. About 40 people held a candle light vigil to remember Brooke Sandback and remind the community about the plight of the local homeless population.

Terri Harber/Daily World A sign held toward the street outside of Aberdeen City Hall on Wednesday night. About 40 people held a candle light vigil to remember Brooke Sandback and remind the community about the plight of the local homeless population.