Spokane City Council Plans Discretionary Public Camping Ban Amid Homelessness Challenges

The Spokane City Council is set to consider a new ordinance titled "Safe and Accessible Spaces" that aims to ban public camping and obstruction on all public property, while granting police greater discretion to enforce the law and offer services to homeless individuals. This ordinance intends to balance compassion and accountability by allowing officers to issue citations without necessarily offering services if individuals refuse help, addressing enforcement challenges seen in the prior mayor's camping ban. The proposal also includes measures to protect public spaces such as waterways and transit facilities. Spokane's daytime navigation center, a key resource providing shelter, healthcare, and other services, has been instrumental in helping many homeless individuals, though its nightly closure presents ongoing challenges. Similarly, Tacoma has expanded its public camping ban by creating buffer zones around public schools, parks, libraries, and shelters to ensure safety and accessibility, though the measure faces criticism as criminalizing homelessness. These efforts reflect growing regional attempts to address homelessness with a mix of enforcement and service provision.