Spokane council member pushes for continued COPS program funding [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane City Council Member Jonathan Bingle held a news conference expressing support for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. Community members attended the event, concerned about neighborhood safety if the local COPS shop were to close.

The future of the COPS organization is uncertain as the 2025 city budget does not include funding for the program. Bingle emphasized the importance of neighborhood COPS organizations in helping the community feel safer.

City Council is set to vote on a resolution during Monday night’s meeting to extend funding to the COPS organization for three months. Bingle argued that three months is not sufficient.

“So today I’m asking all of us, our mayor, my fellow city council members and every resident of Spokane to take a stand. Let’s make sure cops has the needs to continue its work not for a few months for the year,” Bingle said.

Council …