Spokane: U.S. Mayors Support Woodward Resolutions on Fentanyl, Policing, And Mental Health
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Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740

Mayor Nadine Woodward championed resolutions on behalf of Spokane that won unanimous support from mayors across the country in backing additional federal funding for community policing, expanding supports for mental health, and giving federal law enforcement and local police the resources they need to address the fentanyl crisis.

Woodward introduced the resolutions at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She led conversations about the dangerous fentanyl epidemic, the mental health focus Spokane is undertaking, and increasing federal funding community policing efforts.

"Much of our conversation was about the growing mental health challenge and adequately resourcing our police officers to address the rising crime rate," Woodward said. "These are difficult challenges playing out in communities across our country."

Woodward also attended the invitation-only Yale Mayors College and CEO Summit. She spent the week talking to mayors from across the country about similar challenges they are facing related to housing costs and inventory, homelessness, and how to better manage crime.



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Many of the mayors signed onto the resolutions Woodward championed before they won the full support of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The resolutions:

• Urge Congress to give federal law enforcement and local police the resources they need to address the fentanyl crisis and reduce barriers
• Expand the Mental Health Professional workforce, support for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and mental healthcare access through telehealth improvements
• Increase federal funding to bolster community policing programs which foster community engagement, analysis and assessment of problems and increase the way law enforcement protects citizens

"Communities across the country are struggling with the same challenges," Woodward said. "Spokane has an opportunity to lead and work with other communities to make a real difference at home and with our neighbors nationwide."

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