City of Spokane, WA
10/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 10:13
City of Spokane Announces New Plan to Address Downtown Challenges
City of Spokane Announces New Plan to Address Downtown Challenges
Erin Hut, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 9:08 a.m.
Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall, Spokane Fire Chief Julie O'Berg, and Mayor Lisa Brown have developed and will soon institute a pilot program aimed at addressing challenges in the downtown core.
The "Crisis Outreach, Response and Engagement" (CORE) plan will be a 30-day, short-term pilot that includes law enforcement, alternative response and outreach to target effective engagement, crime reduction and improved outcomes for all.
As part of this plan, the Spokane Police Department will deploy additional officers to the downtown precinct to increase visibility and engagement through bike and foot patrols. These officers will assist in increased implementation of place-based policing, a data-driven policing approach that identifies areas and times with higher risk of crime.
Simultaneously, the City will increase alternative response through the expansion of co-deployment teams (first responders and behavioral health providers), including the Behavioral Health Unit, Behavioral Response Unit, and CARES Team. Two additional BHU officers will be deployed to the downtown precinct and SPD will work closely with Spokane Fire to provide increased response to fit various needs.
The City of Spokane is additionally leveraging partnerships with i2 Strategies and Revive Reentry to navigate individuals to appropriate resources through increased outreach. Members of the Revive team will join Code Enforcement to engage in outreach, coordinate encampment resolution, and navigate individuals to treatment and housing.
"By leveraging data and deploying officers on bike and foot patrols, the Spokane Police Department is aiming to build stronger relationships in the community, increase visibility, and address the root causes of issues in our most challenging areas," Chief Hall said.
"This new pilot is designed to ensure every member of our community feels supported and safe. This plan combines both qualitative and quantitative strategies - putting more feet on the street, enhancing coordination across teams, and using our resources in a targeted, data-driven way. I am confident this approach will allow us to respond to challenges more effectively while fostering a safer and more connected community," Mayor Lisa Brown said.