SPOKANE, Wash. – Less than a month ago, the Spokane City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance called the Safe and Accessible Places Act. This act gives police officers the authority to issue citations to individuals who do not comply with law enforcement instructions regarding illegal camping downtown. In its first week, Spokane Police Department issued 125 citations and over 200 warnings.

Some local business owners have been closely monitoring the effects of this new ordinance. Kathy Castillo and Jessie Hoch, owners of The Tuxedo Gallery on 2nd and Bernard, have witnessed significant changes. They noted that before the ordinance, their area was a hot spot for drug, sex, and vandalism crimes.

“We’re always scrubbing graffiti off or painting the walls and stuff and trying to

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