Crime and homelessness are surging along 2nd and Division Street, with Spokane Police saying the area is in "full-on crisis mode."
With increased drug use, violence, and even street-level prostitution, a local business lining these streets are bearing the briny of this downhill slide.
Clarks Cleaners is one of many businesses growing frustrated; they're now dealing with their seventh broken window in just the last 18 months.
"The defecation, the screaming, yelling, fighting, drug use; the list is pretty long," said Jack Gumm, manager of Clarks Cleaners. Gumm candidly spoke of the interactions his staff has experienced amidst this wave of crime.
"They've got bats, they've got knives, some of them have guns. We've had problems with guns in the past. So yeah, it's very concerning," Gumm said.
Back in May, Clarks Cleaners constructed a fence around the perimeter of their business, though Gumm was reluctant to do so.
"We're back to building fences and not bridges," said Gumm. "I wish I knew the answers."
The city says they're trying to restore the part of downtown through the Safe Spokane Summer Plan, a program introduced by Mayor Nadine Woodward back in June.
"In the last nine months or so, the police department has doubled it's staff downtown so there's more patrol and more people down there," said Brian Coddington with the City of Spokane.
Coddington argues the program is effectively cutting down on crime within the city. He says progress is slow, but it's coming.
"I know it feels like it's not quick enough and it's definitely not quick enough. We're the first to say it needs to happen quicker. But it is progressing, especially in the downtown area," Coddington said.
In the meantime, its a waiting game for businesses like Clarks Cleaning to see if this plan can lead to a positive ripple effect for them, along with other businesses planted within this crime zone.
But patience is running thin.
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