The City of Everett, like many cities across the greater Seattle area, are going through some serious growing pains. We’re happy to fill in the gaps through litter removal and vandalism mediation, but acknowledge there are moments when issues need to be escalated to our locally elected officials. Here are a few of our priorities for 2024:

• Art for All

  Access to art should not be limited to socioeconomic status, geography, or "that’s how it’s always been” mindsets. Art of all disciplines can positively uplift communities, improve economic vitality, and create new career pathways in the art and culture sectors. BAC aims to commission 25 murals by 25 local artists for 25 small and independently owned businesses, community organizations, and schools across the City of Everett. Additionally, our free Art in the Park opportunities will bring the arts straight to communities that would benefit from it the most!

• Harm Reduction through Bulk/Single Sharps Disposal

  BAC has removed over 200 needles across our 25 clean-ups across the City of Everett. Removing them throughout our clean-ups is a necessary step to prevent unnecessary harm towards our volunteers, residents, and wildlife. Concurrently, Intravenous drug users (IVDU) lack adequate access to sharps disposal across the City. Often limited to indoor options that are concentrated around the Downtown core of Everett that restricts users from accessing these disposal options simply due to geographic constraints and business hours. BAC has presented our findings with City leaders to offer outdoor single and bulk sharps disposals similar to what is currently being offered by King County. This has been an extremely effective and sensible solution to prevent sharps from being improperly disposed of, however, the City has yet to make a decision one way or another.

  Please visit Sound Pathways to learn more about other harm reduction services being offered in Everett.

• Understanding Territorial Gang Vandalism

  Aside from the enormous property damage it inflicts, specifically on properties that can’t quickly recover from these incidents, we fear that territorial gang vandalism can escalate into physical transgressions, gun violence, and even death.

  We recommend reading this study by Christian F. Delgado of the City University of New York. BAC is eager to find solutions that will ease territorial disputes through public art installations and community engagement initiatives.