(The Center Square) – Spokane is considering two programs that could mitigate the impact of homelessness and addiction on the community, but one focuses on accountability through incarceration while the other is mostly voluntary.
The Spokane City Council was slated to discuss Councilmember Michael Cathcart’s proposal during a Monday committee meeting. However, due to a request from the Office of the City Prosecuting Attorney, the item was moved to next month for more discussion.
Cathcart’s high-utilizer program would identify the city’s top 75 repeat offenders and expedite their court proceedings. It would make the high-utilizers ineligible for Community Court and exempt from the county jail’s “red-light status” when overcapacity.
“High Utilizers shall not be subject to booking restrictions applicable to other municipal defendants,” according to Monday’s agenda. “High Utilizers shall be given priority for booking into jail for any arrestable offenses, outstanding warrants, or other legal actions.”