SPOKANE, Wash. — It has been a little over two months since the city of Spokane tightened its anti-camping law, and some property owners say the change is hard to miss.
“It’s night and day,” said Chud Wendle, executive director of Hutton Settlement Children’s Home.
Wendle oversees the Hutton Settlement, a children’s home that gets most of its funding from commercial rental properties across Spokane. Those properties have faced ongoing challenges.
“When I’m caught up and trying to fix broken windows and paint over graffiti and pick up garbage, that takes me away from the kids at Hutton Settlement,” Wendle said.
Wendle says that changed when the city passed a new ordinance cracking down on public camping. In it, officers are encouraged to offer two options: treatment or a citation.
In the last two months, a Spokane Police Department dashboard shows 268 people have been cited under the new law.
“We’ve seen immediate results at our properties,” Wendle said.
Spokane business owners say they are seeing a change too. The Tuxedo Gallery, a store located on Second Avenue, says it has long felt like this part of downtown has been neglected until recently.
“Their (police) presence has been a lot more, which is really helpful. And they’re eager to help move things along for our side as well as for the people on the street,” said Kathy Castillo, co-owner of Tuxedo Gallery.
Castillo says the biggest difference is the authority the new ordinance gives law enforcement.
“Now that they’re allowed to do their job and speak to people and get them help, I feel like that’s made a huge amount of difference,” Castillo said.
For Brad Barnett, president of the Spokane Business Association, the results bring cautious optimism.
“I think everybody’s holding their breath. Is this going to continue long term? Because really, we’re turning the corner,” said Brad Barnett, president of the Spokane Business Association.
“I really do feel like we’re on a path to that clean and safe and vibrant city that we’re hoping for,” Wendle said.
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