Conference held after Zona Blanca announces its closing due to crime in downtown Spokane [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. – Elected officials, business owners and public figures crowded into Zona Ceviche Bar for a press conference Monday, after the restaurant announced it would be closing permanently due to crime-related issues downtown.

City Councilman Jonathan Bingle hosted and arranged the press conference. Public figures including former Spokane Mayor, Nadine Woodward and County Commissioner, Al French, were in attendance.

Bingle voiced his frustration with the City for not prioritizing the safety and security of businesses downtown.

“First and foremost, we absolutely must be enforcing our public drug-use laws in the City of Spokane,” Bingle said to the crowd.

Zona Blanca’s owner, Chef Chad White, also addressed those in attendance.

He told NonStop Local that crime and drug issues happening in downtown Spokane have made it almost impossible for him to run the business.

“It’s become too difficult to continue to operate on a daily basis. We’re constantly repairing a …