SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane City Council is preparing to introduce a new ordinance aimed at addressing homelessness in downtown Spokane.

The ordinance, known as the Safe and Accessible Places Act, is set to be read for the first time by council members. This 14-page document proposes giving Spokane police direction to offer services to willing suspects or cite violations. It also aims to increase consequences for repeat violators.

Council members are determined to see this ordinance passed. One member emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "I think this is one of those rare times that I could get on board and say what is going on right now is an emergency needs to be corrected immediately."

To pass as an emergency ordinance, the proposal requires five votes in favor from the cou

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