Spokane police say 911 calls and violent crime are down, outline outreach and High Utilizer program

At a May 24 District 2 public-safety town hall in Spokane, Police Chief Kevin Hall told residents that 911 calls and measured violent and property crime have trended downward since 2022, and described several programs the department is using to reduce harm and connect people to services.

Hall said citywide data show fewer 911 calls and a decline in violent-crime categories such as assaults and aggravated assaults. He flagged a complicating trend: shootings that produce victims have decreased while confirmed shootings without identified victims — incidents where officers find ballistic evidence or property damage — have increased; the department is examining whether improved recording explains that rise.

The chief credited the recent public-safety levy with allowing SPD to re-establish a centralized traffic unit that includes motor officers, DUI specialists and red-light enforcement, and said that traffic citations have risen as the unit concentrated resources where the most dangerous driving occurs. "We're really looking hard at technology as opposed to putting more officers out on the street," Hall said, citing speed and red-light cameras as cost-effective alternatives to expand enforcement without adding head count.

Hall described the department's post‑ordinance outreach in downtown Spokane. Since the "safe and accessible" ordinance took effect last October, he said SPD has issued 1,478 tickets and has recorded more than 1,600 offers of services to people encountered by officers. Of those offers, he said 471 engagements resulted in treatment or service acceptance. "They're using their own discretion, their training, and their experience to make a determination what's the best outcome for this individual," Hall said.

The chief also summarized the High Utilizer Program, a targeted effort that pairs law enforcement with treatment partners to reach people who frequently use public services. Hall said the initial cohort of 10 high utilizers has seen several outcomes: five people are in housing and receiving services, seven remain in custody with some receiving treatment, and others are out in the community or no longer in the Spokane region. He said the pilot has expanded to about 17 people. "We're able to dedicate jail beds specifically for this population," Hall said, adding that the intent is stabilization and connection to care rather than long-term warehousing.

Hall gave an update on the StruggleWell resilience training his department adopted from a private program; roughly 100 officers and professional staff have completed the 40-hour course, he said, and the department is offering the curriculum to fire personnel and other agencies.

On workforce issues, Hall said SPD had about 11 vacancies but expected roughly 11 new cadets to graduate by the end of summer, which would close vacancies. He also noted a gender gap in representation and said the department is seeking ideas to recruit more women.

The chief took residents' questions on e-bikes and e-motorcycles, saying a recent state statute clarified distinctions between high-powered e-motorcycles (which require licensing) and e-bikes; the city council has asked for further study of policy options for e-bikes that can reach 20 mph. He also said the department is evaluating drones and camera technology to enforce street-racing and dangerous-driving behavior without high-speed pursuits.

The town hall is intended to be a conversational update and the department invited residents to continue the discussion through council channels and the District 2 newsletter.