It’s Friday of Summer Safety Week in downtown Spokane! July 31 to August 4, downtown is sharing resources and tips to foster a safer, more inviting, community for all.

In Spokane, there are many resources for people experiencing instability and people who are houseless. It is important to remember to treat our neighbors with empathy and offer a helping hand when possible. You can point individuals in need of support toward this resource guide here.

In our comprehensive resource guide you can find essential information on various services available downtown, including:

• Shelter availability for individuals in need of temporary housing and support.
• Locations of public restrooms for your convenience and personal hygiene.
• Medical resources downtown, such as clinics and first-aid stations, to address your healthcare needs.
• Local recovery and treatment centers offering support for those seeking assistance with substance abuse or mental health challenges.
• Details about Drop-in Day Care Centers, providing reliable child care options.
• Sites where free meals are offered.
• Crisis lines and community services for immediate assistance and support during difficult times.

We hope this resource guide helps you access and share support services that can enhance our community members well-being and navigate challenging circumstances effectively.

In downtown Spokane, we are also lucky to have many municipal and community safety agencies who are on hand to assist visitors, residents, employees and more to address safety concerns as they arise. In addition to the downtown Ambassadors, who were featured in Monday’s Street Safety segment, downtown is supported by other crucial safety agencies that collectively contribute to making it a safe and enjoyable place to be. These dedicated agencies work tirelessly to ensure the well-being and security of everyone in the downtown community.

Spokane has an amazing organization called C.O.P.S. C.O.P.S stands for Spokane Community Oriented Policing Services (C.O.P.S.) They have been helping to promote and support an environment for a safe community across Spokane since 1992. Spokane C.O.P.S. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) dedicated to crime prevention and safety for the Spokane community. Funded by the Spokane Police Department and partnering with the City of Spokane and the Department of Corrections, they are here to make Spokane a safe environment for all members of this community.

• Spokane C.O.P.S. are police-trained citizen volunteers who report, gather information about possible drug houses, and become effective crime fighters. They allow officers to spend more time working with citizens to solve crimes and disorder problems.
• Are you looking to make a positive impact and contribute to a safer community? Consider volunteering with Spokane C.O.P.S., where you can help make your community a better place to live! Learn more here.

Established in 2020, the downtown Spokane Police precinct It is located in the core just west of Wall Street on Riverside Avenue across the street from the STA Plaza. Downtown’s precinct has space for up to three dozen officers and members of the Behavioral Health Unit.

• Centrally located, downtown officers regularity patrol downtown on ebikes to better engage with the public through Community Policing, a law enforcement philosophy that allows officers to continuously operate in the same area in order to create a stronger bond with the citizens living and working in that area. This allows public safety officers to engage with local residents and prevent crime from happening instead of responding to incidents as they occur.
• Spokane Police Department’s Behavioral Health handles cases of people in crisis and works to divert individuals from being involved with the criminal justice system and occupying the emergency room. Co-responder units are made up of a law enforcement officer or deputy paired with a clinician employed by Frontier Behavioral Health.
• One of the main goals of the Spokane Police Department is to engage with the community we serve. There are many ways you can engage with the Spokane Police Department. Opportunities include volunteering as a citizen, Explorer, or Co-op. Learn more here.
• SPD officers work hard to keep community safe but they can’t do it alone, you can help! If you see something, say something. Report it to Crime Check at 509-456-2233.

Summer Safety Week in downtown Spokane fosters a safer, more welcoming community by providing resources and tips. Empathy and support for neighbors experiencing instability or homelessness are essential, including sharing information about shelters and social programs. The dedicated safety agencies like Downtown Ambassadors, Spokane C.O.P.S., and the downtown police precinct contribute significantly to crime prevention and community engagement. Together, we can make a positive impact on community safety in our city.