SPOKANE, Wash – The owner of a downtown Spokane salon blames Catholic Charities and the City of Spokane for a spike in crime near several Catholic Charities housing projects.
The tort claim, which is the first step in a civil lawsuit, was filed on behalf of Linda Biel, owner of Urbanna Natural Spa Salon and Wine.
The salon is located a 104 S. Division.
The claim alleges “seven low-income and transitional housing facilities concentrated in the City of Spokane’s downtown core are chronic nuisances that must be mitigated.”
“The tort claim describes an elaborate business relationship between city, state, and federal funds, grants, and public donations support Catholic Charities and for-profit entities,” wrote attorney Eowen Rosentrater in a news release announcing the claim.
“These facilities, built with the City’s authorization, approval, and financial support, have been the subject of numerous police reports, 911 calls, and complaints documenting criminal activity, illicit drug use, and violent incidents involving tenants of the facilities,” Biel alleges in the tort claim.
Rosentrater says the spike in crime and incidents downtown have “dramatically increased” with the construction of each new Haven, all within a five-block radius in downtown Spokane.
The area near 2nd and Division has been a hot spot in recent years.
Earlier this year, Spokane Police conducted a pilot program, concentrating resources in that area.
In the claim, Biel says she raised concerns in 2014 with then-Mayor David Condon “pleading for intervention before conditions worsened.”
At the time, the salon was located a couple of blocks south of its current location.
She said she did not get any meaningful response and conditions worsened.
“By 2016, the environment surrounding the business had grown so bad that Urbanna was forced to close the original Urbanna location and relocate.”
The claim details specific allegations of employees being harassed and the building being vandalized.
Biel said a man threw scalding coffee in her face when she asked him not to urinate on the building.
She told 4 News Now the drug use is also prevalent around her salon.
“We’re picking up aluminum with fentanyl debris on it. We’re picking up needles,” Biel said. “We’ve seen people openly injecting drugs… and the litter is huge, and picking up the litter takes a lot of time.”
In addition to her claim against Catholic Charities, Biel says the City of Spokane’s “deliberate refusal to act” is harming her business interests.
Her attorney said, without action, the problems will continue.
“Without the city and the havens and Catholic Charities taking steps to remediate the problem, it’s just prolific and getting worse,” Rosentrater said.
Catholic Charities Eastern Washington said in a statement Wednesday afternoon,
“Catholic Charities Eastern Washington is aware of the complaint. Our agency is disappointed that Urbanna Natural Spa Salon and Wine feels the poor and vulnerable are a nuisance. This orchestrated legal filing contains several misleading, inaccurate and baseless allegations. We look forward to the opportunity to set the record straight as we rigorously defend all aspects of this claim and as we explore our other legal options. CCEW is proud of its long-standing record of serving our neighbors in need. We know that our apartments and wrap-around services are a true blessing for the low-income men, women, and children who have a safe and supportive place to sleep each night. Rather than being a nuisance, our properties are a life raft for people to escape homelessness. Catholic Charities believes each person deserves the dignity of a home. This litigation does not affect our ongoing commitment to do the hard work many others are either unable or unwilling to do. Most important, our work is a living mission that comes directly from Scripture – to Feed the Hungry, Heal the Hurting and Welcome the Stranger. CEO and President Rob McCann commented, “The facts and Jesus are on our side. Catholic Charities Eastern Washington will not waiver from this work. Love always wins.”
In a statement to 4 News Now regarding the tort claim, the city of Spokane said, “We have received this claim and will review it as we do with all claims.”
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