SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane announced on Thursday that Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall, Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg and Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown have developed a pilot program aimed at addressing challenges in the downtown core that they plan to implement soon.
According to a press release from the city, the “Crisis Outreach, Response and Engagement” (CORE) plan will be a 30-day, short-term program that includes law enforcement, alternative response and outreach to find effective crime reduction solutions.
The Spokane Police Department (SPD) will deploy additional officers to the downtown precinct to increase visibility and engagement through bike and foot patrols. These officers will assist in the implementation of place-based policing, a data-driven policing approach that identifies areas and times with a higher risk of crime.
“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,” SPD Chief Hall said.
Simultaneously, the City will increase alternative response through the expansion of co-deployment teams which include first responders and behavioral health providers.
These teams will include the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU), Behavioral Response Unit and the 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 will also use its partnerships with i2 Strategies and Revive Reentry to direct individuals to appropriate resources through increased outreach.
Members of the Revive team will join Code Enforcement to engage in outreach, coordinate encampment resolution and direct individuals to proper treatment and housing.
“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.
The Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) CEO and President Emilie Cameron released a statement following the city's announcement of the CORE program. The full statement can be read below:
“Public safety, cleanliness and other quality of life issues are directly contributing to challenges in commercial districts and neighborhoods across Spokane. Nowhere is this more pronounced than downtown, where concerns and crime have overshadowed Spokane’s many efforts to restore and revive the core of our region. Our residents, employees and visitors need quick, meaningful action. We’re grateful that the plan announced today focuses resources from Spokane’s Police and Fire Departments to address challenges facing our downtown. This is an urgently necessary step to help improve the current situation for all who work here and call Spokane home. The DSP looks forward to working with the City of Spokane and all who share a commitment to restoring our downtown and ensuring a great future for Spokane.”
DSP is a membership organization that manages the Downtown Business Improvement District and seeks to advocate for business development, public safety and public policy that will ensure success to downtown businesses.
