SPOKANE, Wash – A program that has served Spokane neighborhoods for more than 30 years could soon be a thing of the past, if the Spokane City Council doesn’t approve funding for Spokane C.O.P.S.
Spokane C.O.P.S. CEO Jeff Johnson told the council Thursday they’ve begun the process of preparing to shut down, effective December 31st. That includes telling Spokane Police officers who often use the C.O.P.S. shops that they will no longer have access to the buildings.
The program began after the kidnapping of two young girls from the West Central neighborhood in 1991.
The neighborhood was determined to come together out of that tragedy and the Community Oriented Police Services program was born.
There are now COPS shops in nine locations, staffed by volunteers.
Volunteers do everything from neighborhood observation programs to fingerprinting and bike registration.
The city pays about a half a million dollars for the services and so far this year, that funding has not been renewed for 2025.
Johnson spoke to the council Thursday, saying he last heard that the city was going to put out a request for proposals and the current COPS program could apply. So far, however, that has not happened.
“Here we are, the middle of November – there’s no way [an RFP] can be done and awarded by the end of December,” Johnson said. “We’re a business, we have lots of obligations.”
Johnson said they’re proceeding as if that funding will not come through, preparing to close their doors on New Year’s Eve.
The council did not reply to Johnson’s plea, as it was made during a public comment period and was not on the council’s agenda.
Johnson asked that the item be placed on Monday’s city council agenda for discussion, wanting the contract to be renewed for at least a year.
“I don’t envy your positions,” Johnson said to the council, regarding budget and funding decisions. “But clearly I’m here to fight for mine.”
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