During a recent government meeting, community members voiced their concerns regarding proposed expenditures and law enforcement practices. Will Hewlings, a resident from downtown, expressed strong opposition to the proposed budget item OPR 2024 0673, which allocates up to $100,000 for four undercover police vehicles.

Hewlings questioned the necessity of this expenditure, suggesting that the Spokane Police Department could utilize existing state laws, specifically RCW 69.50.505, which allows for the seizure and forfeiture of assets related to drug-related crimes. He argued that this approach could provide significant benefits, including cost savings and immediate access to vehicles for law enforcement purposes. Hewlings emphasized that utilizing forfeited property could enhance the department's ability to combat drug-related offenses without incurring additional costs.

The meeting also included comments from Dennis Flynn, the council president, who addressed another agenda item, OPR 2021 0072, related to defending against a lawsuit concerning the treatment of firefighters. However, specific details regarding this discussion were not elaborated upon during the meeting.

The discussions highlight ongoing debates within the community regarding fiscal responsibility in law enforcement and the effective use of existing resources to address crime.