SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane C.O.P.S. will continue into 2025 after Spokane City Council voted to give them bridge funding for part of the year.
For the first three months of the new year, the organization will continue its work with the City of Spokane, who will help them with funding.
Executive Director Jeff Johnson said he was shocked when City Council voted in favor of the contract extension.
"We went from hoping for a 4-3 (vote) and sliding to a unanimous vote," Johnson said.
Since 1991, C.O.P.S. has worked with the city, providing non-emergency services to help aid the police.
Johnson said the support from multiple volunteers at Monday night's meeting helped get the $125,000 in bridge funding, which will end in March 2025.
Johnson said the feelings, not the numbers, got them the money.
"The fact that it's a safe place and people feel good coming there and we get people's help, we get them the help that we need," Johnson said.
During the time when they'll be funded (December 2024-March 2025), C.O.P.S. and others will compete for future funding through a request for proposals (RFP). Johnson said C.O.P.S. plans to apply.
Spokane City Councilmember Kitty Klitzke said the bridge funding works as a temporary solution so the non-profit can find other means to get support.
"I think that every single one of your volunteers and board members can help you out getting through this bridge funding," Klitzke said.
Johnson said that is an option they are considering as a whole.
"{We are considering} taking things private rather than working contractually with the police and the city," Johnson said.
Johnson said no matter if they get the funding or not, he is hopeful that whoever gets it will use it wisely.
"Spokane C.O.P.S. is about crime prevention," Johnson said. "I, for one, am hopeful that whoever gets it won't focus on criminal advocacy."
For now, the organization is continuing to provide service to those who need it with continued support from the city.