SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane city leaders are considering changes to Proposition 1 after a state Supreme Court judge overturned the voter-approved camping ban.
The original proposition banned camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, and daycare centers. The judge ruled that elected officials, not voters, should make such decisions.
The new version would give people up to 7 days to leave unauthorized camping areas before receiving a citation.
Unauthorized camping remains a divisive topic in Spokane. Some residents worry about public safety, while others believe banning camping criminalizes homelessness.
Doug Trudeau, who lives in the East Central neighborhood, acknowledges the complexity of the issue.
“We want this to be a safe environment for the kids that are playing over there to be able to go out here and play in the park. And not have to step over drug material and stuff like that. We also want the people that are in the park to get help,” Trudeau said.
City council members disagree about the revised approach. Councilman Michael Cathcart expressed concerns about the new proposal.
“This essentially puts all of the administrative decision making behind how we enforce camping law in a back room,” Cathcart said during discussions.
Councilman Zack Zappone defended the reasoning behind his proposal: “The origin of this was actually started at roundtable discussions…and so I disagree with this interpretation of this not having been talked about.”
Supporters say the amended version addresses clarity issues in the original proposition.
For residents like Trudeau, the hope is that action is taken soon, for what he sees is a worsening issue.
“I think bringing back Prop 1, the way it was passed by voters would be the best thing for our city,” Trudeau said.
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