Spokane City Council Adopts Engagement and Enforcement Ordinances

Spokane City Council approved two ordinances during its Legislative Session to combat homelessness. Ordinance C36679 unifies existing unauthorized camping laws and emphasizes community engagement while providing a clear enforcement mechanism for law enforcement. It makes unauthorized camping a misdemeanor offense citywide and aims to connect individuals to services rather than simply penalizing them. Ordinance C36694 targets aggressive solicitation behaviors that could intimidate others, establishing clear definitions of such actions. Council Member Zack Zappone acknowledged the ordinance's limitations, stating it does not address the question of where individuals will go.

The Council intends to shift its focus toward solutions like safe stays and permanent housing. Council Member Paul Dillon emphasized the ordinance's role in maintaining public health and safety while clarifying existing laws. The Council will continue monitoring the implementation and exploring upstream solutions.