(The Center Square) – With the Spokane Police Department officially enforcing Proposition 1, over a dozen city leaders met on Thursday to discuss other efforts to mitigate the homelessness crisis.
Proposition 1 was a citizen’s initiative that passed with nearly 75% voter support last November. The measure expanded the city’s illegal camping prohibitions to include anywhere within 1,000 feet of a school, park or daycare, in addition to the existing restrictions.
However, SPD held off on enforcing Prop. 1 until last week due to a prior court decision that was recently overruled, allowing officers to finally uphold the law. Still, many leaders are worried about criminalizing the vulnerable population and want to utilize all the tools at their disposal.
Dr. Darin Neven, chief executive officer and founder of Consistent Care, was in the room on Thursday, along with several department heads and city council members. Since Mayor Lisa Brown’s emergency declaration , his team has helped identify those frequenting the streets, jails and hospital system and provided case management services to homeless individuals.