Tensions are boiling between Spokane city and county officials over more than 100 empty jail beds amid growing concerns about rising downtown crime. Spokane City Councilmember Zack Zappone claims the county is turning away detainees due to “red-light” jail status, while Spokane County leaders say the city is spreading misinformation and failing to understand how the system works.
At the center of the controversy is the East Broadway jail facility, which reportedly has up to 180 available beds. Zappone, backed by frustrated constituents, argues that Spokane Police are being blocked from booking arrestees due to red-light status, which he says equates to a full jail. But county officials, including Detention Services Chief Don Hooper and Sheriff John Nowels, firmly dispute that interpretation.
“SPD can fill every one of those beds today if officers make those arrests,” said County Spokesman Pat Bell. He explained that red-light status, often triggered by incidents such as officer exposure to fentanyl or understaffing, is temporary and doesn’t mean inmates are turned away—it only pauses intake briefly.
Sheriff Nowels blasted Zappone’s claims, saying they are “unhelpful, irresponsible and put the community’s safety at risk.” He urged city officials to check with jail leadership before making public statements.
Zappone pushed back, accusing the county of dodging his repeated attempts to get answers. He released emails showing multiple unanswered meeting requests and phone calls to detention leaders dating back to early September. “It’s disappointing that Spokane County public safety officials would hide behind a press release targeting me rather than answer the serious questions me and my constituents have,” he wrote.
As the blame game escalates, the jail’s Detention Services Dashboard shows fluctuating red-light status data. While Zappone claims the jail spent 20% of the last 30 days on red-light status, Bell said tracking methods may inflate those numbers and stressed that SPD officers simply need to wait until the temporary status ends to proceed with bookings.
City officials continue to face pressure from residents as open-air drug use, theft, and assaults remain persistent issues downtown. The county is currently working through a $20 million budget deficit, with top detention leaders tied up in budget preparations. County CEO Scott Simmons offered to schedule a meeting with city officials in December and encouraged Zappone to tour the jail firsthand.
Until then, both sides remain locked in a public dispute over safety, transparency, and responsibility—while dozens of jail beds remain unused and Spokane’s crime woes continue.
