Council Members to Introduce New Camping and Obstruction Ordinance

Spokane City Council members will propose the “Safe and Accessible Spaces” ordinance at the upcoming Public Safety and Community Health Committee meeting. This legislation grants police discretion to offer services to individuals willing to accept help or to cite repeat violators of camping and obstruction laws. It aims to prohibit camping on public property and clarify enforcement issues that arose from a previous ordinance passed in June. Council Member Zack Zappone stated the goal is to balance providing assistance to vulnerable individuals while enforcing laws against those who refuse help. Council Member Michael Cathcart expressed gratitude for the collaboration among council members to ensure accountability and uphold community safety standards.

The ordinance includes measures to protect public waterways and trees, prevent illegal fires, and address littering at transit facilities. Members of the public can view the ordinance and sign up to testify at the committee meeting via a provided link. The committee will discuss the ordinance and establish a timeline for legislative action.