City of Spokane Announces Next Chapter of HOME Starts Here Initiative
Spokane city leaders will introduce new measures under the H. O. M. E. Starts Here initiative during a Public Safety meeting and press conference.
The initiative aims to end public camping and open drug use by enhancing officer discretion for citations and increasing outreach efforts. Mayor Lisa Brown stated that the goal is to connect individuals in crisis with resources while maintaining safety. Councilmember Zack Zappone emphasized the need for an updated engagement and enforcement ordinance to enhance community accountability. Chief Kevin Hall pointed out that officers require discretion to effectively manage repeated offenses. Recommendations for the ordinance will be drafted in collaboration with community partners and the Spokane Police Department.
The city will launch a daytime navigation center and a coordinated street outreach team to support these efforts. The press conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning, with further details forthcoming.