Three weeks ago, the Spokane City Council unanimously passed the Safe and Accessible Spaces ordinance. Since then, in my own conversations downtown—with shop owners, baristas, security staff, office workers, and people just passing through—I’ve been hearing the same thing over and over again: something has changed. The streets feel cleaner. People feel steadier. And there is a kind of positive energy that we haven’t felt in a long while.
And beneath these visible improvements, there is another shift—people who are struggling on the street are finally being offered clear paths forward. With the Navigation Center open every day and outreach workers coordinating closely with law enforcement, more individuals are getting connected to services instead of remaining on the streets. The early numbers back this up, but honestly, you can feel it just by walking around and talking to people. For the first time in years, Spokane is aligning enforcement with real help and real next steps.
This is what Chief Hall calls “compassionate enforcement,” and that phrase rings true to what many of us are witnessing. What we’re seeing isn’t about punishment; officers now have real alternatives they can offer—treatment, shelter, housing referrals—rather than just saying, “Move along.” When I see these interactions on the street, it feels like Spokane at its best: keeping our public spaces safe while also offering people genuine chances to rebuild and recover.
But as encouraged as I am, I’m also aware that this is just the start. Resource gaps remain, especially in overnight shelter, sobering beds, and long-range services. The Mayor’s emergency declarations are helping accelerate solutions, but the work ahead is substantial and will require continued focus and support from all of us. We can’t lose momentum now.
So this week, my message is simple: thank you. Thank you to our Mayor and City Council for their leadership. And thank you to our police officers, firefighters, medics, behavioral-health teams, and outreach workers. Spokane sees your commitment. Your work is making a real and visible difference in this community we all call home.
