Letters for Aug. 8, 2022

City leaders need to act

There is an urgent need for a collective focus on the issues that are jeopardizing the future of Spokane. The rise in belligerent and unsanitary activity in this city is threatening not just my livelihood, but the future of our city. For too long, residents and businesses have been left to mitigate the daily impacts of our failed system, dealing with property damage, theft, litter removal and threatening conduct from nearby encampments and organized crime groups.

While the impacts of closing and modifying operations during the pandemic were immense, nothing compares to the daily struggle we now confront every day. My neighbors and I are fighting to keep our doors open. The widespread anxiety over public safety, cleanliness and other issues are contributing to severe and worsening conditions. We cannot afford or accept the path we are on. We need our city’s leaders to listen and act now.

Keep our neighborhoods safe, provide the tools that give law enforcement and city staff the ability to address the very real threats to our health and safety. I am on the brink of the heart-wrenching decision too many of my neighbors have faced. I don’t want to close my doors because of the state of abandonment of downtown. I love this city and I’m prepared to do my part but I can’t do it alone.

Chad White

Spokane

When will enough be enough?

I’m the property manager of More Space Spokane on State Street. We are in the middle of the city’s hot spot for crime, just a few blocks between House of Charity and the 7-Eleven on Second Avenue and Division Street. We often see vagrants shooting up, using our front door as a restroom, domestic abuse, recently gunfire and stalking. I see it first-hand every day.

There was a shooting the week of July 18 within feet of our business doors and the road had to be closed down. When will enough be enough?

I have compassion for those experiencing addiction and mental health struggles. I want them to get help and to live full and productive lives. At the same time, we need to hold people accountable and put the safety of our employees, customers and visitors of our city first.

It’s clear what the city is doing is not working to fix the problem. Allowing camps to block the sidewalks, drugs being used in open daylight in Riverfront Park. It’s unacceptable to me and it’s unacceptable to those in that situation.

The City Council needs to move forward with a meaningful Sit & Lie ordinance like the one proposed by Mayor Woodward and Council Members Jonathan Bingle and Michael Cathcart to allow law enforcement officers to be able to enforce our laws to keep employees, customers, residents and visitors safe.

Camille Gulley

Spokane