SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council deferred a vote on a controversial homeless ordinance after hours of emotional testimony from Spokanites and business owners who packed Monday night’s meeting.
The proposed ordinance was originally intended to replace Proposition One, which voters approved in 2023 with more than 70% supporting to ban camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and daycare facilities. The Washington State Supreme Court later overturned the voter-approved measure, leaving the decision to city leaders.
The first version considered on Monday would give people up to seven days before receiving a citation for camping violations, a change that sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Spokane City Council to vote on camping ordinance replacing Proposition 1
Richard Repp, who rarely attended council meetings before Proposition One was overturned, said the proposed changes “totally perverted the intent of Proposition One.”
“I just found it so incredibly harmful to this city,” Repp told us.
Forty-five people signed up for public comment, with supporters arguing the ordinance offers compassion and improves existing policies.
“Enforcement does not end homelessness,” one speaker said during public comment. “There is a comprehensive approach to addressing this situation that needs to be undertaken.”
Critics countered that the ordinance undermines voter intent and threatens public safety.
Harry Sladich, who owns a security company with hundreds of downtown clients, conducted his own documentation effort in May after Proposition One was overturned. He instructed his guards to document anyone they saw on sidewalks, regardless of whether it involved their clients.
“The amount of people that are still out on the streets, it’s just unbelievable,” Sladish said.
Many speakers were business owners who said the public safety conditions in downtown make it difficult to keep their doors open.
“Things are not good. Things are not where they need to be in Spokane,” Sladich told the council.
The council initially voted against the new version but later voted to reconsider the homelessness ordinance with an amendment that changes the days to issue a citation from seven days to three days.
City council will vote on this version on June 30.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Spokane City Council delays new homeless camping ordinance
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