Woodward Announces 'Safe Spokane Summer' Plan

Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 8:36 a.m.

Mayor Nadine Woodward, joined by leaders who activate, work, and invite visitors downtown, announced a summer plan today to address the most prolific repeat misdemeanor offenders and provide additional emphasis on hot-spot areas.

The Safe Spokane Summer plan will establish a high-utilizer initiative to address individuals who repeatedly commit misdemeanor offenses through more robust cases seeking tougher penalties. It will also deploy Homeless Outreach Team resources more regularly to gateways and underpasses that are the subject of the most regular complaints.

“The plan uses the activities of the summer months to build momentum and establish a launching point for the remainder of the year as we build downtown vitality, enthusiasm, and excitement,” Woodward said. “Our invitation to the community and guests is to eat, experience, and enjoy downtown.”

Other elements of the plan include:

  • Conducting a roving special retail theft emphasis with downtown retailers to prevent shoplifting.
  • Introducing virtual Municipal Court appearances as a pilot program at the Trent Resource and Assistance Center to reduce the failure to appear rate and help system users clear up minor court obligations and meet procedural obligations.
  • Conducting regular special drug emphasis operations to re-establish the expectation that drug possession and use are illegal.
  • Conducting regular proactive special abatement emphasis in hot-spot areas around gateways and viaducts.
  • Re-introducing the Give Real Change program to direct contributions to service organizations rather than along the curbside as a health and safety initiative for drivers and panhandlers.
  • Beginning the building of a Municipal Drug Court as a service connector to get individuals into treatment.

“Summer brings opportunity to put our best foot forward as a city and region,” Woodward said. “The lineup of summer events are all occasions to show off the vibrancy and electricity downtown and get our city ready for guests.”