During a recent government meeting, community leaders and residents voiced urgent concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions in Spokane, particularly in the West Hills neighborhood and downtown area. Robert, chair of the West Hills Neighborhood Council, extended an invitation for city officials to visit and assess the area, highlighting significant beautification issues, including a majorly disrepair bridge and rampant litter and homelessness. He noted that the city’s current systems for addressing these problems appear ineffective, with encampments merely shifting locations rather than being resolved.

Will Hewlings, a downtown resident since 2019, shared his dismay over the visible increase in drug use and homelessness in the area, which he described as shocking and disheartening, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed frustration with the local police's response to these issues, calling for accountability from the new police chief, who he noted earns a salary exceeding that of the mayor.

Terry Hill raised concerns about the financial implications of the city’s response to illegal encampments, citing recent statistics indicating that Spokane Police Department responded to 2,400 calls related to these encampments. He questioned the sustainability of such a response, emphasizing the costs associated with deploying multiple emergency services to these sites.

The discussions underscored a growing urgency among residents for effective solutions to homelessness and public safety, as well as a call for city officials to engage more directly with the community to address these pressing issues.