Council Members to Introduce New Camping and Obstruction Ordinance

Spokane City Council members will introduce the “Safe and Accessible Spaces” ordinance at Monday's Public Safety and Community Health Committee meeting. The new legislation empowers police officers with the discretion to either offer services to individuals willing to accept help or cite repeat violators of camping and obstruction laws. Under this ordinance, unauthorized camping on public property will be illegal, and it aims to protect vital resources such as waterways and publicly owned trees. Council Member Zack Zappone emphasized the need for a balanced approach, stating, “We all want to see an end to public camping. ” Council Member Michael Cathcart praised the council’s commitment to ensuring accountability and maintaining safety standards for the community.

The ordinance includes additional measures to prevent illegal fires and litter, enhancing public safety. This proposal follows previous legislation passed in June that lacked clarity on enforcement discretion. The council will discuss the ordinance's timeline for legislative action during the committee meeting.