SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane City Council recently discussed two significant ordinances, drawing varied community reactions. The “Safe and Welcome in Spokane” ordinance aimed to expand protections against warrantless searches by immigration services in designated non-public areas.
Dylan Welkie, a supporter, shared a personal experience.
“I’ve had a young woman from Mexico ask me if it was safe to leave the house,” Welkie said.
He emphasized that current ICE searches instill fear among immigrants, urging the council to pass the ordinance.
However, not everyone agreed.
Becky Woodbridge voiced concerns about its vagueness, questioning, “Who decides what those sections are? Who decides what’s happening?”
The ordinance required a supermajority to pass but fell short with a 4-3 vote. Another key topic was the amended Proposition 1. Originally, it included a 1,000-foot ban on public camping near schools and other locations, but this provision was removed. The focus shifted to notifying homeless camps and issuing citations for noncompliance.
Some speakers criticized the change, preferring the original version.
“Prop 1 was perfect… this ordinance is not going to sustain any sort of business in Spokane,” Aaron Rivkin said.
Homeless resident Sunshine Wiggins also expressed concerns.
“I think that us as homeless deserve a place to go I mean if you are going to push us off a sidewalk, then where are you going to push us is the question you need to ask yourselves,” Wiggins said.
Although the “Safe and Welcome in Spokane” ordinance did not pass, it may return to the council in the future. Meanwhile, the modified version of Proposition 1 will be implemented immediately.
