Council Members to Introduce New Camping and Obstruction Ordinance

Spokane City Council members are set to introduce the “Safe and Accessible Spaces” ordinance at the Public Safety and Community Health Committee meeting on Monday. This ordinance grants Spokane Police Department officers discretion to offer services to individuals willing to accept help or to cite repeat violators of camping and obstruction laws. Under the proposed legislation, camping and obstruction of public property will become illegal, with additional provisions to protect waterways and publicly owned trees. Council Member Zack Zappone highlighted the need for a balanced approach to address the issue of public camping while offering support to vulnerable populations. Council Member Michael Cathcart acknowledged the collaborative efforts of council members in advocating for accountability and safety within the community.

The ordinance aims to clarify police discretion in enforcement, addressing previous ambiguities. Council is expected to discuss the timeline for legislative action during the committee meeting. Members of the public can access the ordinance and register to testify through a dedicated link.