Pause & Reflect
Completing a “Claim for Damages”
Imagine that you were living near Federal Avenue and E Republican St. in Seattle when your belongings were removed during an encampment sweep.
To begin, choose one of the following:
- Option 1: Identify five objects that are currently near you.
- Option 2: Refer to the items you listed during the “What’s in Your Bag?” exercise.
Imagine that these items were lost during the sweep. Using them as your list of lost property, take a few minutes to complete the “Claim for Damages” form linked below as thoroughly as you can.
As you work through the form, pay attention to what feels clear, difficult, or uncertain.
Reflect on the process:
- Did you know what to provide as an address?
- How did you describe what happened?
- How would you identify the City employee(s) involved in the sweep?
- What challenges might arise if you were not present when the sweep occurred?
- Did the form provide enough space to explain what happened and what was lost?
- Was any part of the form unclear or confusing?
Now consider what it would mean to submit this information:
- How would you feel about sharing the information on the form publicly?
- If you knew the form could become publicly available, would that affect your decision to complete or submit it?
- Knowing that the information may also be shared with an adverse party, how would that affect what you felt comfortable including?
This reflection is asynchronous and intended for your own learning. If you would like to save your responses, remember to record them in a separate document.
More Resources for You
Take a few min. to complete the claim for damages form.
Form >