Bombed Clinic To Reopen, Braces For Worst Planned Parenthood Beefs Up Security At Its 3 Offices, At Cost Of $288,000

Almost one year after a bomb gutted the Valley Planned Parenthood clinic, it’s reopening.

But it will be a newer, stronger clinic, with shatterproof windows, secured doors and security cameras and alarms.

“We’re excited about going back,” said the clinic’s nurse practitioner. “We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I don’t think any of us are afraid to go out there.”

Planned Parenthood didn’t want her name used in this story.

The clinic opens next week. But the phones started ringing for appointments Monday, the day that service was reconnected.

On Tuesday morning, dozens of staff members, supporters and board members gathered at the Valley office at 20 S. Pines for a blessing. Members of the Planned Parenthood clergy advisory committee burned sage and said prayers.

The bomb exploded July 12, blowing a yawning hole inside the front door and spraying jagged chunks of concrete and tile across the floor. The blast blew the backs off waiting room chairs.

Six minutes later, masked men robbed a U.S. Bank branch.

Four men are awaiting trial in connection with the bombing and robbery. Three of the same men also face charges relating to a bombing April 1 of The Spokesman-Review’s Valley office, followed minutes later by a robbery and bombing at the same bank branch.

Since the bombing, Planned Parenthood administrators have considered whether to reopen in the building or find a new Valley site.

“We did look at other sites, but finding a site for a Planned Parenthood clinic is not an easy thing,” said Gayle Ekins, board member and former board president.

The landlord redesigned the building with the help of Planned Parenthood. It now feels more like a clinic, administrators said.

It also feels more secure. Two national experts on domestic terrorism flew out to Spokane and told administrators how to strengthen security.

Since the bombing, Planned Parenthood of Spokane and Whitman Counties has spent about $288,000 revamping security - $30,000 at the Pullman office, $64,000 in the Valley clinic and $194,000 at the main center on Indiana.

Administrators wanted to provide a safe environment for patients, volunteers and employees. They wanted to provide a safe area for high-risk employees and doctors to enter and leave the main office. And they wanted to secure the Planned Parenthood offices from a terrorist attack.

“It’s been very clear from a lot of our supporters that this act of domestic terrorism should not deter us from fulfilling our mission,” said John Nugent, clinic executive director. “That’s given us part of the determination to get this clinic reopened.”

The rest came from the three workers at the clinic, who worried about clients who couldn’t make the trek to Spokane. The Valley clinic focuses on family planning and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. No abortions are performed there.

“It’s kind of like our clinic, our home,” the nurse practitioner said. “We know our people.”

, DataTimes