SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane police officers issued 83 citations in the first week of implementation of the Safe & Accessible Spaces ordinance, according to an email Mayor Lisa Brown sent to the city council.
The ordinance went into effect on October 27, giving law enforcement more discretion to enforce city-wide anti-camping laws.
“In the last week, officers have issued 83 citations and have arranged transportation to the day navigation center in multiple cases,” Mayor Brown’s office said. “In cases where officers offered services, roughly one third of individuals accepted.”
The day navigation center had nearly 700 visitors in its first week of operating under a drop-in model, according to the email.
“The Administration continues to refine data tracking across department and branches of government to ensure the robust and accurate reporting of new resources under the revised legal framework laid out by the Safe & Accessible Spaces ordinance,” Mayor Brown’s office said.
