Spokane council adopts ordinance tightening camping and obstruction rules, emphasizes outreach and data

Spokane City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt Ordinance C-36-7-85, titled “Safe and Accessible Public Spaces,” revising city code to clarify obstruction, prioritize enforced removals near child-serving sites and expand tools for Spokane Police Department officers to connect people to services or escalate enforcement when outreach repeatedly fails.

Council members and administration supporters framed the ordinance as a blend of enforcement and compassion. Council member Cathcart described the measure as “prop 1 plus,” noting it retains outreach-first intent while adding clearer definitions of obstruction and priority areas the council wants officers to address. The measure passed 7-0.

The ordinance tightens the city’s rules on camping and obstruction in public rights-of-way, gives officers broader discretion to address co-occurring harms (including environmental damage and dangerous litter such as syringes), and prioritizes removal of encampments within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare sites, parks and other child-serving locations. It includes a requirement for systematic data collection and a formal evaluation after one year to assess effects and recommend changes.

Business and social-service leaders who testified supported the ordinance’s balanced approach. Emily Cameron of the Downtown Spokane Partnership said the revisions “are a step forward in restoring health and safety in our public spaces,” highlighting clarified obstruction language and an emphasis on addressing chronic offenders. Jonathan Mallahan of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington described the measure as an effort “to offer services and connection, not punishment,” while still preserving discretion to address behaviors that endanger community safety.

Volunteers of America and Greater Spokane Incorporated backed the ordinance’s dual focus on outreach and accountability. Fawn Schott, president and CEO of Volunteers of America, said the measure “prioritizes and expedites outreach and enforcement for people camping or obstructing near parks, schools, childcare facilities and shelters.” Mary Miller of Greater Spokane Incorporated cited recent polling showing homelessness and public safety as top voter concerns and urged passage.

Council members who led revisions said the text reflects months of outreach, meetings with prosecutors and police legal staff and attempts to produce an implementable, lawful tool. Several members emphasized the ordinance’s intent language to guide day-to-day application rather than prescribe a single mandatory response in every case. Council member Klitzke and others said legal and prosecutorial input helped make the text workable.

Implementation details were a focal point: council members stressed the need to pair enforcement with additional treatment, outreach teams and shelter capacity to avoid a revolving-door effect. Multiple speakers urged rapid follow-up on the data-collection commitments so the council can adjust policy if outcomes differ from intent.

The ordinance was introduced and debated under an urgency process and was acted on at the meeting; its adoption will direct Spokane Police Department and partner outreach agencies to apply the new priorities and reporting requirements described in the ordinance.

The council recorded its vote as 7-0 in favor. The council said it expects regular reports on implementation and data, and members repeatedly urged the administration and community partners to accelerate creation of additional housing, treatment and crisis services that the ordinance anticipates but does not itself fund.