The Downtown Spokane Partnership’s President & CEO Emilie Cameron today responded to the Washington State Supreme Court ruling striking down Spokane’s voter-approved public safety initiative, Proposition 1, authorizing the City of Spokane to remove unpermitted encampments from public property near sensitive uses.
“Regulating private conduct on public property is and has long been well within the powers of the people. We’re disappointed by the court’s ruling, it undermines and disregards the fundamental right of Spokane voters and the local initiative process.
As demonstrated by the overwhelming support that passed Prop 1, Spokane’s voters want our sensitive uses – parks, playgrounds, schools and childcare centers – free from the hazards of unlawful encampments. We urge the City Council to immediately take legislative action to integrate the protections approved in Prop 1 and keep our community safe, clean and healthy. Spokane must establish order in our public spaces with clear expectations and enforceable policies.
While the DSP continues to support the joint deployment of opioid settlement dollars by the City and County to create more sobering beds and expand the crisis stabilization facility, this alone will not address the broader concerns we hear from the community. Spokane must ensure that our public places are safe for all to enjoy, without being subject to a lack of sanitary conditions or threats to personal safety.”
###
About the Downtown Spokane Partnership: The DSP is a private, nonpartisan, non-profit membership organization that serves as Spokane’s central city advocate and service provider of the Downtown Spokane Parking and Business Improvement District, dedicated to enhancing the quality and vitality of Downtown Spokane as the basis for a healthy region. The DSP accomplishes its mission through advocating for public policies, business and project development, quality planning, physical improvement projects, public safety, beautification, and marketing programs that ensure downtown’s continued success. To learn more, visit www.downtowspokane.org.