When Sgt. David Chitwood knocks on the door of the one level home 20th Drive NE in Marysville he knows it won't be the homeowner that answers.
They're long gone. The family walked away from the property five years ago and the house went into foreclosure.
In the years since, transients took over. Neighbors watched as the property filled with trash, criminals and drug addicts moved in, and cars along the street were getting broken into.
The empty house became a revolving door for squatters.
Chitwood, is with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and joined by a little known team called Project 99. Their patrol cars attract neighbors who've seen the people inside shooed away time and time again.
A handful of usual suspects emerge from the filth and squalor where the smell of piled trash and rotting garbage is unavoidable.
"We just tell them or remind them, you're on borrowed time and you need to make other arrangements," he said.
That's just about all law enforcement can do when a house like this one remains in the legal gray area after a homeowner forecloses and the bank takes over, often letting the property sit for years before doing anything about it.
"These people just keep coming back here, because I can't stop them from coming back here yet," Chitwood said.
This is just one of many houses Project 99 will visit in a single day. The team is trying a new approach to cleaning up the problem. They're also trying to convince the people inside to seek the help they need, to stay off the streets.
Along with Sgt. Chitwood and representatives with the county code and health departments, a social worker is there.
On this day, Ahmad Bennett will offer help to anyone who wants to listen. Treatment can go a long way to keeping squatters out of these houses for good.
"Sometimes it takes several times. Addiction is a terrible thing," he said. "Whatever they need. If they give me a call, I'll meet them wherever they're at. I ride shotgun on someone's journey."
In the past few months, Bennett has talked to 25 or so people. He says three or four of them have taken the steps toward treatment and eventually housing.
The original purpose behind Project 99 was to try to clean up neighborhoods and property along Highway 99, a stretch of road that often attracts crime. But Cmdr. Pat Slack, who heads the Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force says it was clear that Project 99 could serve a much bigger purpose.
"I think we far underestimated the power that this team has to help people," he said.
The next step is to work with county leaders to give Project 99 more power to board up and abate these nuisance properties when they confront the people inside. Slack says they're making headway.
Stashia Murphy emerged from the house on 20th Drive NE. The 26 year old has been staying in an empty bedroom for a week or so now.
There is no electricity or running water, and at night the darkness can sometimes scares her.
"You never know who is going to pop up. You have to walk around with a flashlight," she said.
Murphy said she became addicted to meth at 14 and has chosen to be homeless ever since. These houses offer a safe place to use and be with her street 'family'.
"We stick together as a pack," she said. "To be honest, I'm done living like this."
Walking down the driveway past the patrol cars, she meets Ahmad Bennett for a brief talk, then a hug. But she keeps walking.
"When they hit rock bottom we'll still be there," he said. "But sometimes all you can do is throw the lifeline. There is no guarantee anyone will take it."
