Getting There: Disagreements flare again over how to pay for promised Spokane traffic unit that still hasn't ramped up

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown is facing backlash from transportation safety activists for her budget proposal that reallocates infrastructure funds to support a traffic enforcement unit that has yet to be established. Erik Lowe, a prominent figure in the Spokane Reimagined transit advocacy group, expressed his discontent at a recent city council meeting, arguing that if the new community safety tax is inadequate for the traffic unit, it should either be increased or the unit removed from the budget. Activists highlight that Brown previously criticized her predecessor, Nadine Woodward, for similar budget strategies, raising allegations of hypocrisy. While Brown asserts that her budget is a necessary response to a significant deficit and aims to collaborate with the City Council on alternative funding, the delays in launching the traffic unit have prompted public safety concerns. Staffing shortages within the Spokane Police Department complicate the situation, as officers are diverted from potential traffic enforcement duties to cover patrol needs.

This funding debate reflects a larger conflict between the city's safety initiatives and its commitment to infrastructure improvements, as Brown's administration seeks to stabilize budgets. Activists continue to voice their dissatisfaction, urging for a more transparent and responsible approach to funding allocation, with the outcome of these discussions poised to impact public safety and infrastructure development in Spokane.