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Downtown homelessness, fentanyl concerns raised in Spokane County public forum
Summary
Two residents used the county's open public forum March 18, 2025, to describe rising downtown homelessness, public drug use, and to thank commissioners for collaborative stabilization efforts; one speaker referenced a state bill he said could allow encampments on sidewalks.
At the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 18, 2025, two residents used the open public forum to urge action on downtown homelessness and express support for county collaboration on a stabilization program addressing fentanyl and related problems.
William (Will) Hewillings, who said he lives "a few blocks" from downtown, told the board he has seen people using fentanyl and meth and called the situation "crazy downtown." He said some residents avoid downtown and raised concern about encampments, referencing a state bill by number. "Something's got to be done," Hewillings said, and he warned that, in his view, the bill (as he referenced it) could allow encampments on public sidewalks and expose local governments to lawsuits if encampments are cleared.
Wendy Fishburne, who identified her address as 8712 East Red Oak Drive and said she rarely attends county meetings, thanked commissioners for collaborating with the mayor and partners on a stabilization program. "Fentanyl has changed the game," Fishburne said, and she urged continued cooperation among local governments and service providers.
Both speakers offered personal observations and calls for continued intergovernmental collaboration; there was no formal action recorded on these comments during the meeting.
