As crime pushes businesses out of downtown, SPD looks for solutions to increase safety [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. – As beloved businesses continue to announce they are closing due to exhaustion from dealing with crime in downtown Spokane, the Spokane Police Department’s (SPD) new leader, Chief Kevin Hall, plans to prioritize the safety of businesses in his new administration.

It’s been roughly two weeks into Chief Hall’s administration, but he told NonStop Local that he is already working with Mayor Lisa Brown and other agencies to try to find solutions to deal with crime downtown.

“One of our precincts is really focusing on one area. Particularly, with unsheltered folks who are suffering from substance abuse disorders. Because our toolbox is so limited on what we can do, it basically just forces these folks to other areas. So, then those precincts do the same thing. And it’s this sort of ping-pong table with human beings where we’re pushing them back and forth across boundaries. I’d rather find …