City of Spokane Announces Next Chapter of HOME Starts Here Initiative

Spokane city leaders, including Mayor Lisa Brown, Councilmember Zack Zappone, and Police Chief Kevin Hall, will announce the next phase of the H. O. M. E. Starts Here initiative in an upcoming Public Safety meeting and press conference.

This initiative aims to tackle public camping and open drug use by enhancing law enforcement's ability to issue citations. Strategies will involve increased outreach for individuals who repeatedly come into contact with police and greater community involvement. Mayor Brown stated, “We want outreach to people in crisis… for our collective sense of safety. ” Councilmember Zappone highlighted the importance of balancing compassion with accountability in the updated engagement and enforcement ordinance. Chief Hall noted that officers require more discretion to ensure compliance with the law.

Recommendations for updates will be drafted in collaboration with community and business partners. A press conference detailing these goals will take place Tuesday morning, with specifics to be announced.