(The Center Square) – Following through on its promise, Spokane announced Monday that neighborhood resource officers are back on the streets thanks to Mayor Lisa Brown’s November sales tax proposal.
Over 60,000 people, or roughly 57% of voters, approved Brown’s Community Safety sales tax last fall. The proposal coincided with Spokane’s budget process, as the mayor and city council worked through a $25 million deficit that was on track to surpass $50 million by 2027.
The council passed a balanced budget, with the help of voters who will provide $7.7 million through the tax, 15% of which will go to the county. Brown’s budget proposal relied on the voters’ support in exchange for several assurances coming to fruition.
“The return of Neighborhood Resource Officers illustrates the commitment of the Spokane Police Department to the community,” Police Chief Kevin Hall wrote in a news release Monday.
According to the release, Spokane cut the NRO program in 2023 to dedicate more resources to SPD’s patrol division. Deputy City Administrator Maggie Yates told the council Monday that tax collection doesn’t start until April, but the administration is ready to start delivering on its word.
“There have been various plans put in place,” Yates said, “capturing vacancy savings and other things to start making the investments that we promised.”
Brown proposed a few voluntary retirement plans to balance the budget, taking more than 20 officers with decades of experience off the street. While controversial, those decisions allowed three NROs to hit the ground running on Monday, with more expected soon.
Hall said the officers would be critical in strengthening SPD’s relationship with the community. The NROs will operate out of the Northeast, Northwest, Downtown and South precincts while also acting as liaisons to the areas for recruitment and outreach efforts.
Yates reaffirmed Brown’s commitment to providing seven NROs but said they’re staggering the hires to prevent any impact on other units. Councilmember Michael Cathcart, skeptical of the assurances leading to the vote, asked Yates about future plans for the revenue.
She said the administration had discussed a strategic plan for spending the money after this biennium but didn’t provide much detail. In keeping other promises, Yates said municipal court continues uninterrupted, and the Spokane Fire Department is getting ready to order some engines.
Councilmember Zack Zappone requested Yates update the council regularly on the revenue.
“The city of Spokane is excited to have the [NRO] program back, fulfilling what voters supported in the recent Community Safety Sales Tax vote,” Brown wrote in the release. “This program is a direct investment in our neighborhoods and a key step forward toward fulfilling our public safety goals.”
