Council Members to Introduce New Camping and Obstruction Ordinance

Spokane City Council will unveil the “Safe and Accessible Spaces” ordinance at the upcoming Public Safety and Community Health Committee meeting on Monday. The ordinance empowers police to offer services to those in need while penalizing repeat offenders for unauthorized camping and obstruction on public property. It includes tools for protecting waterways and public trees and aims to address issues like illegal fires and litter. Council Member Zack Zappone emphasized the need for a balanced approach to help vulnerable individuals while enforcing the law. Michael Cathcart highlighted the shared commitment to community safety and accountability.

The ordinance also corrects previous wording issues to clarify police discretion in enforcement. This legislative action reflects ongoing discussions and recommendations from council members. Public participation is encouraged, with details available via a provided link for testimony at the meeting.