Trending...
- Spokane: SPD Seeks Assistance in Locating Vehicle Associated in Hit and Run
- Final Week to Register for Free Spokane Community Conference
- Renkeer Water Quality Sensors Support Efficient Operation of AI Liquid Cooling Systems
~ The City of Spokane is taking legal action against the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in an effort to close a large homeless encampment located on state property in an East Central neighborhood. The 25-page complaint, filed Monday, alleges that the encampment has had a "tremendous negative impact" on the quality of life, safety, and health of the surrounding neighborhood and community.
Mayor Nadine Woodward said that the city has been patient and tried to work with the state but their requests for a transparent plan with a realistic timeline have been ignored. She added that they are taking this action before anyone else gets hurt.
The complaint states that WSDOT has failed to stop illegal drug and criminal activity at the encampment which has resulted in property crime, trafficking in stolen property, litter and rubbish, reckless burning, vehicle prowling and stolen vehicles, burglary, loss of business, intimidation and harassment, rape and indecent liberties, and threat to public health and safety. It also claims that WSDOT has failed to prevent occupants from entering vehicles or buildings with the intent to commit crimes or organizing theft for sale or trade. Furthermore, it alleges that the accumulation of litter is jeopardizing community health and safety as well as generating an inordinate amount of property damage and loss of business revenue for local businesses.
More on Washingtoner
The legal action comes after a propane tank explosion caused a fire at the encampment on Friday which resulted in serious injuries to two occupants. This incident is similar to one which occurred at a homeless encampment near Seattle's Ship Canal Bridge which WSDOT said will be closed by the end of this month due to protests by parents and neighbors. Both encampments are close to schools.
Mayor Woodward said that they expect WSDOT to act quickly and decisively as they did in Seattle in order to protect neighborhood interests. The complaint asks a judge to declare the property a drug, chronic, and public nuisance as well as grant a warrant of abatement authorizing immediate closure of the camp along with securing of the property, cleanup of debris, and reimbursement for costs incurred by the City for security services such as garbage collection.
Mayor Nadine Woodward said that the city has been patient and tried to work with the state but their requests for a transparent plan with a realistic timeline have been ignored. She added that they are taking this action before anyone else gets hurt.
The complaint states that WSDOT has failed to stop illegal drug and criminal activity at the encampment which has resulted in property crime, trafficking in stolen property, litter and rubbish, reckless burning, vehicle prowling and stolen vehicles, burglary, loss of business, intimidation and harassment, rape and indecent liberties, and threat to public health and safety. It also claims that WSDOT has failed to prevent occupants from entering vehicles or buildings with the intent to commit crimes or organizing theft for sale or trade. Furthermore, it alleges that the accumulation of litter is jeopardizing community health and safety as well as generating an inordinate amount of property damage and loss of business revenue for local businesses.
More on Washingtoner
- Scoop Social Co. Brings Its Signature Mobile Dessert Experience to Nashville
- Soft & Sweet Unveils New Studio Location and Website for All-Natural Sugaring in Las Vegas
- Beyond Popularity Rankings, The World's No.1 Superstar® Wins Best Pop Music Video for "Under Your Spell"
- Spokane: SPD Seeks the Public's Assistance in Locating 94-year-old man
- Simpalm Staffing Launches Tax Preparer Staffing for U.S. CPA Firms
The legal action comes after a propane tank explosion caused a fire at the encampment on Friday which resulted in serious injuries to two occupants. This incident is similar to one which occurred at a homeless encampment near Seattle's Ship Canal Bridge which WSDOT said will be closed by the end of this month due to protests by parents and neighbors. Both encampments are close to schools.
Mayor Woodward said that they expect WSDOT to act quickly and decisively as they did in Seattle in order to protect neighborhood interests. The complaint asks a judge to declare the property a drug, chronic, and public nuisance as well as grant a warrant of abatement authorizing immediate closure of the camp along with securing of the property, cleanup of debris, and reimbursement for costs incurred by the City for security services such as garbage collection.
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Tacoma: Homicide Investigation – 1100 Commerce Street
- Former Goddard Enterprises Managing Director Anthony Ali Joins STS Capital Partners as Managing Director and Partner
- Heritage at Manalapan Announces Limited-Time Mortgage Rate Buydown on Select Quick Move-In Homes
- Good Organics Now at Pop Up Grocer NYC With October 30 Sampling Event
- KeysCaribbean Announces Temporarily Reduced Rates At Village at Hawks Cay Villas
- Commercial Manufacturing Validation Completed as November 10 FDA Milestone Approaches; Critical FDA Milestone Close: NRx Pharmaceuticals NAS DAQ: NRXP
- Electives Launches "Electives for Everyone," Making Live Expert-Led Learning Available to Every Employee
- Tax Tops the List as Wealthy Brits Plan Their Exit, La Vida Survey Finds
- FloorLine Launches Live Shop Floor Tracking for Small Manufacturers
- "The Tree of Cinema" Installation Brought Film History and Its Audiences Together at TIFF 2026
- Detroit Lawyer Steals $600,000 Settlement Meant to Protect Child
- The TOPS Trap: Local AI Models Hallucinated Facts, Cited Real Sources, and Sounded Confident
- Final Week to Register for Free Spokane Community Conference
- Heritage at South Brunswick Announces Special Townhome Mortgage Rate Buydown
- Heritage at Hopewell Announces Limited-Time Mortgage Rate Buydown on Select Quick Move-In Townhomes
- Air Force Veteran Sean Douglas Delivers Powerful Suicide Prevention Presentations to Hundreds of Marines at Camp Pendleton
- Breathwork Certification in Seattle, Washington State: First Pacific Northwest Date Set
- Author Robert A. Robinson Introduces Anarchy at the AYP:
- Renew Integrative Health Publishes Updated Peptide Therapy Guide to Help Patients Understand Their Options
- AI Agents Are Getting Their Own Computers. HRTech Leading in Vertical Harness Development