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Neighbors and council press Compass Health over security and neighborhood impacts at Andy’s Place
Summary
Multiple residents testified about violence, overdoses and public disorder they link to Compass Health’s Andy’s Place; council asked staff for updates on emphasis patrols, CPTED improvements and a review of contracts with the provider.
Residents told the Everett City Council on Aug. 20 that a Compass Health facility known as Andy’s Place has contributed to repeated safety and public‑order problems in the Port Gardner/Lombard area, including a stabbing earlier in the week and frequent overdoses and loitering.
Jose Villalas, who identified himself as an Everett resident in District 2, described a late‑night incident “at 1 in the morning” when “a drug deal gone wrong right outside of Andy's place… and he stabbed somebody outside of our doorstep and left this woman to die,” adding that the victim was taken to the hospital and is recovering. Villalas said Compass Health has promised 24/7 security at the site but “they did not reply” when asked for details and that he believes Compass “is not qualified to deal with some of these patients.”
Another resident, Alexis of Port Gardner, described seeing frequent evidence of drug use and people “sleeping in bushes” in the neighborhood and said residents regularly intervene to help people in crisis. “Compass Health turns their back on people,” Alexis told the council, and she urged the city to hold the provider accountable for neighborhood impacts.
Council members acknowledged the residents’ concerns and discussed several follow-up steps. Council member Ryan asked administration to provide an update on recent emphasis patrols and CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) work and asked staff to review contracts with Andy’s Place to see whether Compass Health is meeting any contractual obligations tied to public‑safety expectations. “So I think that might be a lever that we have. So, if we could look into that, that would be great,” Ryan said.
Council member Voguely and others said funding and wraparound services come from multiple levels of government and that the city’s authority to require operational changes at a provider is limited. Ryan also said he was tracking a state change to consolidate 211 into a single statewide hub and expressed concern about placement capacity for local facilities.
Speakers urged continued coordination among the police, fire and code‑enforcement units, and residents credited police and city staff for some interventions while urging stronger action by Compass Health to train security and manage behavior on and around its campus. Council members said staff will report back with updates on patrols, contract review findings and any contractual levers the city can use.
