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Spokane Valley council authorizes $20,000 for holiday retail‑theft blitzes after police report nine arrests in four hours
Summary
Council authorized $20,000 in additional funds to support focused retail‑theft enforcement during the holidays; police said a recent four‑hour operation across several stores yielded nine arrests and cited state law (RCW 9A.56.030) as relevant to charging repeat offenders.
The Spokane Valley City Council on Nov. 25 authorized an additional $20,000 to support focused retail‑theft enforcement through the holiday season, after the police department briefed council on recent enforcement activity and investigative capacity.
Deputy City Manager Eric Lam and Police Chief Dave Ellis described the recent conversion of two added investigative positions into an investigative unit tasked with retail‑theft cases. Chief Ellis outlined tools the department uses, including loss‑prevention coordination, camera trailers and undercover details. "Over the course of just 4 hours, 9 arrests were made," Chief Ellis said, listing charges that included organized retail theft, possession of stolen property, and other offenses.
Chief Ellis explained Washington statutes allow prosecutors to charge a felony retail‑theft offense when a suspect commits theft at three or more separate retail establishments within a 180‑day period (citing the relevant statute as RCW 9A.56.030). The department said typical costs for a retail‑theft "blitz" are about $10,000 and that additional emphasis details would be paid from overtime and available staff capacity.
Councilmember Wick moved to authorize $20,000 for additional emphasis work; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Finance staff said fund balance was available through the end of the year to cover the authorization.
Council members and business owners asked how smaller retailers could participate; staff discussed options including camera assets, crime‑prevention assessments and the possibility of business‑funded overtime assignments for specific stores. Councilmembers said they hoped the surge work would deter theft and protect sales tax revenue during the high shopping season.
