Spokane COPS

The mission of Spokane Community Oriented Policing Services (C.O.P.S.) is to provide a safe community environment and, in partnership with the Spokane Police Department and the Department of Corrections, provide services to neighborhoods that improve the quality of life in the entire community.
Spokane COPS oversees numerous programs aimed at reducing neighborhood crime.

Description:
Spokane COPS has 13 neighborhood sites. There are 12 substations and 1 mobile unit. One of the sites is on the campus of Lewis & Clark High School. We opened a NEW SUBSTATION AT SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN MARCH 2008! Our programs have been created and developed primarily by the citizens in an effort to enhance and support agencies that impact crime related elements. Some of the programs are Front Desk Operation, Neighborhood Observation Patrol, Graffiti Report Teams, Operation Family ID, Registered Sex Offender Flyer Distribution and Property Pick-up Teams. Some of these programs directly aid law enforcement and, with our free training by agency professionals, you would receive life skills that could enhance your job skills. You will work closely with police and officers with the Department of Corrections. STUDENT INTERNSHIPS AND WORK STUDY ENCOURAGED.

History:
In 1991, two young girls were abducted from their neighborhood in Spokane's West Central area. One was found dead, the other has never been found. The shocking crimes brought West Central residents together and they were determined to find ways to make their children and homes safer. The meetings included representatives from the Police Department, Dist. 81 Schools, the city's Human Services Department, West Central Community Center, and W.S.U.'s Cooperative Extension Service. After months of meetings, these groups, police officers, and citizens from the neighborhood created 'C.O.P.S. West.'

The police-trained citizen volunteers take reports, gather information about possible drug houses, and become effective crime fighters. A merchant donated a building at Elm and Boone, and volunteers renovated it.

A governing board was created with the involvement of scores of residents. The volunteers established a schedule to keep the center open daily. Police officers use the location to write reports, meet with residents, and afford a visible presence.

In May 2003, 'C.O.P.S. West' celebrated its eleventh anniversary. Congratulations were offered in person by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Spokane Mayor and Council members, and Police Chief Terry Mangan, among others.

Since the establishment of 'C.O.P.S. West,' there are now a total of 13 neighborhoods that have opened their own C.O.P.S. substations. In each neighborhood where a COPS substation is operating, it becomes a focal point for citizen involvement. We hope, eventually, most Spokane neighborhoods will have their own variation of a C.O.P.S. Shop, staffed by trained volunteers who take an active part in their own community safety.

In 2007, these neighborhoods worked 40,235 hours, taking 2895 reports or incidents and were involved in over 200 projects and programs supporting this city.

Contact people:

Maurece Vulcano, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Michael St. Victor, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Christy Hamilton, Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (509) 835-4596

Address:

901 N Monroe, Suite 254 Spokane, WA 99201 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.spokanecops.org

Directions:

North on Monroe directly east of the Public Safety building and County Court House. Monroe Court building is on the corner of Monroe and Mallon, on the North side of the Spokane river. One row of Visitor parking. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 21,22,23,24, 2 minute walk

Last updated on June 4, 2009