SPOKANE, Wash – 93% of registered voters polled in a recent community survey say downtown Spokane can’t fully recover until homelessness and public safety are addressed.
That’s the highlight from a survey called The Pulse, recently conducted by Greater Spokane Incorporated.
GSI conducted a survey on mobile phones and landlines, asking 600 registered Spokane County voters their views on quality of life.
According to GSI, 63% of those surveyed say Spokane is on the wrong track and 56% have considered moving out of the area. Those surveyed expressed concerns for small businesses and their future in the community.
A majority of those responding to the survey said they felt less safe downtown today than they did two years ago, pointing mainly to homeless encampments and property crime.
Specifically, surveyors said in order to recover, Spokane would need to address the problems downtown through funding mental health and substance use facilities as well as expanding a police presence.
79% of those surveyed believe hiring more police officers should be an immediate priority. This is the goal of the city’s new C.O.R.E. pilot program, which involves 26 officers patrolling downtown Spokane 24 hours a day.
Spokane resident James Feehan said he thinks Spokane is a safe place to live despite how others may perceive it.
“There are homeless people downtown and that might make people feel uncomfortable,” Feehan said. “But the crime rates are actually down. I think it’s more a matter of perception than reality.”
Feehan has lived in Spokane for over 50 years and did not respond to the new survey. Over half of those who responded to the over-the-phone survey had lived in the city for 20 years or more.
The results of this survey are also gaining attention from city council members.
In a statement, City Councilmember Jonathan Bingle said the following:
“As a city council member, I am deeply concerned by the findings from the recent survey revealing that Spokane earned a low quality-of-life score of 3.6 out of 10. The key issues driving this dissatisfaction—homelessness, crime, drugs, and public safety—demand immediate action.
It is clear that we have failed to protect our citizens, and we must prioritize law enforcement to restore safety and security. We need to enforce our laws, increase police presence, and create policies that support small businesses and protect public spaces.
This data sends a clear message: our community is suffering and losing confidence in city leadership, and it’s time for a change of direction. We must put Spokane families and their safety first. We must act swiftly to address these urgent concerns. Together, we can improve the quality of life for all residents in Spokane.”
You can read the full results and methodology at this link.
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