City Officials Travel to Spokane To Check Out Special Court

Yakima city officials will travel to Spokane Sunday to talk to officials about Spokane's Community Court, a new approach to the revolving door of jail. Yakima City Attorney Cynthia Martinez tells KIT News "The theory behind the court is that you use local resources to address crimes that aren't being addressed by the criminal justice system." That could includes crimes like tagging or aggressive panhandling. A community court started in Spokane in 2013 and it's cut down the number of repeat offenders by 66%. Certain re-offenders are taking their first steps toward changing their lives. they are performing community service around the downtown area, part of the overall strategy of starting to build connection and community. Spokane didn't invent this idea. Community courts are showing some success in many other communities across the country. City officials plan to visit Spokane on Sunday and possibly start the court in Yakima later this year.