Spokane Rolls Out New Homeless Camping Deterrent

The city of Spokane is piling large boulders where homeless people used to sleep. Critics are calling the city's actions inhumane.

1 minute read

September 8, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Homeless Encampment

Joshua Rainey Photography / Shutterstock

"Spokane is catching flack for it’s 'tough-love' approach to homeless camping

," reports Emily Schwing.

"Under an overpass for Interstate 90 in Spokane, four lanes of traffic pass by as a giant piece of machinery moves truckloads of basalt rock. The boulders are meant to deter camping by Spokane’s homeless population," adds Schwing.

The city is spending $150,000 to place the boulders in places where homeless people gathered to camp. The city is hoping the local homeless population will use the city's homeless shelters. Critics of the plan say that isn't likely. 

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