(The Center Square) – Tensions are rising between the city of Spokane and Spokane County again as the two jurisdictions fling accusations as to who is to blame for more than 100 jail beds sitting empty.
Sparks were flying for weeks leading up to Tuesday, when Spokane City Councilmember Zack Zappone issued a statement accusing the county of ignoring his questions. Residents have raised concerns over all the empty beds for weeks now as open-air drug use and other crime continue to impact downtown.
Zappone recently told NonStop Local that the downtown jail was full right after city officials promised to amend their new camping ban. Don Hooper, chief of Spokane County Detention Services, released a statement correcting Zappone in the days after, arguing that he could have verified this by calling first…