SAFETY
RESOURCES
Downtown Spokane and the City of Spokane work to ensure Spokane’s city center is welcoming to professionals, visitors, and residents. The City of Spokane provides resources to maintain public safety for all businesses and individuals that have chosen downtown Spokane as their neighborhood.
Ambassadors
The Ambassador crew in blue and black uniforms navigate through downtown seven days a week, 14,000 hours and 25,000 miles a year.
who to call
Downtown Spokane benefits from a wide network of support, from coordinated security efforts with the Spokane Police Department to partnerships in social outreach. Explore the resources available to help address any challenges you may encounter.
KNOW THE RULES
Downtown is a vibrant hub with the highest foot traffic in our county. To keep it safe and welcoming for everyone, businesses and visitors are expected to follow local rules and regulations. Understanding the legal guidelines helps ensure a positive experience for all.
GRAFFITI
It is a gross misdemeanor to intentionally deface public or private property, by etching, painting, spray painting, covering, gouging, drawing upon, or otherwise placing a mark upon public or private property without owner authorization. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.10.070) It is the property owner’s responsibility to remove or cover the graffiti within 10 days of notice, in order to mitigate further proliferation of graffiti. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.10.090)
LITTER AND RUBBISH
No owner or occupant of abutting property may allow the accumulation of litter on sidewalks or planting strips, whether or not such litter is deposited by such owner or occupant. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.08.010)
LIQUOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION / OPEN CONTAINER
It is a class 3 civil infraction to open a liquor container or consume liquor in a public place, except as permitted by law. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.08.200)
MARIJUANA POSSESSION/CONSUMPTION
It is a class 3 civil infraction to open or consume a package containing marijuana or a marijuana-infused product in view of the general public. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.15.220)
SMOKING PROHIBITED
Smoking is prohibited within a minimum distance of 25 feet from entrances, exits, open windows, and ventilation intakes that serve enclosed smoking prohibited areas. (State of Washington RCW 70.160.075)
MALICIOUS MISCHIEF (VANDALISM)
It is a gross misdemeanor to knowingly and maliciously cause physical damage to any public or private building, structure, or
personal property without owner authorization. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.12.020)
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NOISE
It is unlawful to knowingly cause or permit sound that is a public disturbance noise and refuse to cease when ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer. The content of the sound will not be considered in determining any violation. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.08D.090)
SIDEWALK RIDING
No person may ride a bicycle, skateboard, or non-motorized vehicle upon any sidewalk or other pedestrian way within the congested retail zone. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 16a.61.787)
PEDESTRIAN/VEHICLE INTERFERENCE / AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING
It is a misdemeanor to intentionally obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic flow in a public place, or aggressively solicit someone using conduct that would likely intimidate a reasonable person. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.10.025)
SIT AND LIE
It is a misdemeanor to sit or lie on, or upon any object not intended for sitting, on a public sidewalk, 6:00am – midnight in the retail core. Boundaries are generally Spokane Falls Blvd. to the freeway and Division St. to Maple St. A Police Officer must first advise violators and give reasonable time to comply. If they refuse to move or are contacted again, they may be cited. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.10.026)
PUBLIC TRANSIT CONDUCT
It is a misdemeanor to knowingly: smoke or carry a lit pipe, cigar, or cigarette; discard litter; spit, urinate, or defecate; consume or possess an alcoholic beverage; obstruct or impede transit vehicle flow or passenger traffic; or unreasonably disturb others, while on or in a transit vehicle or station. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.10.100)
TRESPASSING
It is a misdemeanor to knowingly enter or remain unlawfully in or upon another’s premises. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.12.050). The procedure to trespass an individual from your property is outlined in this document. Use this Notice of Trespass in issuing your notice to the person found to be in violation. The Spokane Police Department recommends that the trespass not exceed two years. To post a notice, use this sign in all applicable areas, such as entryways, parking lots, dumpster storage areas or employee-only spaces (not on public sidewalks or public streets).
VEHICLE PROWLING
It is a gross misdemeanor to make or have in possession any tool or implement that is adapted, designed, or commonly used for vehicle prowling. (City of Spokane Ordinance Section 10.12.045)
cpted
CPTED goes beyond traditional security methods by naturally integrating security measures into the design of your exterior space. Leading to improvements in the quality of life for you, your employees and your patrons.