Spokane Progressive Trifecta proposes 7-Day Urban Camping Permits
As Spokane prepares for one of its hallmark events, Hoopfest!, Spokane City Council is floating a plan to permit the habitual homeless (and outsiders) 7-day urban campaign permits.
Spokane attorney Richard Repp thinks that’s a bad idea. He stated in a June 2, 2025 report by KREM,
"The idea of a seven-day pass on camping? That's crazy! It's crazy on its face. It should be embarrassing that we're even having that part of the legislation that's being considered," said Repp.”
- Spokane Attorney Richard Repp
Spokane Council President Betsy Wilkerson is even inviting homeless seeking services from outside of our area to come to our town and set up camp in Spokane. Wilkerson states in the KREM report cited above,
“But Council President Betsy Wilkerson says the 7-day period is important because Spokane is a hub of drug rehabilitation and mental health programming that smaller communities in Eastern Washington don't have.
"We are the central location for services. People living in the state of Washington, there's nowhere else for them to go but to come to Spokane," said Council President Betsy Wilkerson.”
Spokane Council Members Paul Dillon, Kitty Klitzke and Zack Zappone have offered a proposal via Amendment to Ordinance C36679 (click here to view) that includes,
Section 12.02.1009 Integrated Outreach | Encampment Removal and Prevention
Prior to the removal of any encampment:
A. A notice shall be posted up to seven (7) days prior to a citation issued under SMC 12.02.1007(B) so that the Spokane Homeless Outreach Team or a City-designated service provider may offer navigation and relocation assistance to services including but not limited to an emergency or permanent housing solution, day center, crisis stabilization or crisis relief center, or substance use treatment facility.
The proposed ordinance by the Spokane “Progressive Trifecta” repeals the law enacted by the City of Spokane Voters through the highly-popular Proposition 1, which was determined invalid due to a lawsuit by Julie Garcia aka “Jewels Helping Hands” and Ben Stuckart.
Gretchen McDevitt did a deep dive on the proposed “Prop 1 fix” with Council Member Zappone which we have included below:
Questions about Ordinance C36679
Section 12.02.1007
GRETCHEN: B. It says “A person shall not camp….” Then in definitions “Camp” is defined as “creating accommodation for overnight shelter” or using vehicles “for the purpose of remaining overnight.” Question: Since camping appears to be defined as “remaining overnight”, does this mean that, as long as I am not obstructing anyone, I can pitch a tent and perform other camping functions during the day. So I could camp and sleep during the day and then pick up my stuff and wander at night. Return to the same place the next day, pitch my tent again and sleep.
Response CM Zappone’s Office: It is not defined as simply remaining overnight. There has to be evidence of ‘camp equipment’ as defined in the ordinance. That would be the test for whether an individual is intending to camp overnight. I’m not sure a tent alone would be enough, as people are allowed to set up tents for shade and parties in the parks for example.
GRETCHEN: Question: Also, what is the exact definition of overnight? May I stay there until midnight and return at 3 in the morning? Or is it say 10:00 p.m. until daylight? Or?
Response CM Zappone’s Office: Usually, overnight is a continuous 8 hour period. It is not defined and would likely be an administrative policy choice.
GRETCHEN: C. “Knowingly obstruct” is defined as “walk, stand … in such a manner as to impede the free passage of a person or vehicle… etc.”
Question: If a person says I did not “know” that definition are they breaking the law because “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Or do they get informed and then from then on they “know.” Will the City be keeping track of who KNOWS?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: They get informed and from then on, they know. The city will not be keeping track of ‘who knows,’ that would be hard to maintain. Unless there is a person who is repeatedly in the exact same spot, anyone informed will have the opportunity to move on.
GRETCHEN: Question: How will people be informed about what “knowingly” means. Maybe post signs throughout downtown?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: Knowingly means an officer has informed them that they are breaking the law and need to continue somewhere else.
GRETCHEN: The following shall not be considered camping or knowingly obstructing.
Item 3. Obstructing as a result of a sensory, mental, or physical
disability. Question: Does this mean that such individuals can
remain all day or night if they have such a disability?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: No. It will likely be the discretion of the officer whether the person is simply obstructing as a result of a disability.
GRETCHEN: Item 4. Obstructing access as a result of using a wheelchair, walker or
similar device. Question: Should “temporarily” be added or is
there no time limit so they can stay there as long as they wish?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: It’s an accommodation for people using wheelchairs or walkers. It will likely be the discretion of the officer whether the person is obstructing as a result of using their equipment.
GRETCHEN Item 7. “Resting while waiting for transportation or resting on
a chair, bench… supplied by a public agency…” Same issue as Item 4. Question: For how long can they rest?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: If they’re not bothering anyone or clearly sleeping on the bench, then they can rest as long as they want. That is true of everyone.
GRETCHEN D. Re: A violation is a misdemeanor. Question: Always a misdemeanor? If I violate it 5 times or 20, is it still just a misdemeanor?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: Yes, the city is only able to issue misdemeanors.
GRETCHEN E. (1) “A person who complies after being notified by a Spokane Police Officer that their conduct violates this section shall not be subject to enforcement under this section.” Question: Are they subject to enforcement under any section or other law?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: Yes
(2) “A person who initially compiles but subsequently violates this section during the same law enforcement interaction MAY be subject to enforcement.
GRETCHEN: Question: What exactly is “same law enforcement interaction”?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: The point in time of which the same officer is interacting with the same individual for the same reason.
GRETCHEN: F. A person who is offered and accepts navigation and relocation assistance to an emergency or permanent housing solution, day center, crisis stabilization or crisis relief center, or substance use treatment facility shall not be subject to
enforcement under this section. GOOD, this is part of what the voters want. But we also want something like Ricky’s Law used to help those with addictions and mental health problems. Question: Will Council members support using tools such as Ricky’s Law?
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: I cannot speak for any council members. Ricky’s law is state law. The limiting factor is having facilities for treatment that meet the needs of people who would need this kind of intervention.
GRETCHEN: G. “A person seeking additional time or assistance in complying with this section shall be accommodated to the extent practicable.” Too general.
GRETCHEN: H. Re: referral to therapeutic court. Too general. Question: How many times do they get referred before they lose that opportunity? And not all courts are equally effective. Veterans Court is great! From what I hear from many people, Community Court is not and there seem to be no metrics re: results other than anecdotal. We need evaluations for each court and published metrics to see what courts are being effective and which ones are not.
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: I would encourage you to watch the presentation from Community Court at the Public Safety and Community Health Committee on 5/5.
GRETCHEN: Section 12.02.1009 Integrated Outreach| Encampment Removal and Prevention
A. “A notice shall be posted up to seven (7) days…” Question: Does the seven days include weekends? Response by CM Zappone’s Office: Yes Question: So how many chances do they get? Let’s say that the first time they get offered services, they decline, and then they just move to another location. Or, they agree to services but never follow through.
Response by CM Zappone’s Office: As many chances as it takes right now. There’s not a good alternative at the moment, but between opioid settlement dollars and a new Public Safety Task Force with the County, there are opportunities for the kind of facility we would need to actually help people. Putting them in jail or at the very least continuously putting them through the criminal justice system doesn’t help and it’s expensive. We end up spending more money and getting no return on it.
Just to summarize, this Council action does not meet the expectations of the people who voted 75% to pass Prop 1. This is another version of Games Council Members Play!