NEW AD: OZZIE KNEZOVICH: LAW ENFORCEMENT DOESN’T SUPPORT BETSY WILKERSON
SPOKANE, WA - Continuing its analysis of Lisa Brown’s radical slate of hand picked-candidates' record on law enforcement, the Spokane Good Government Alliance released a statement, highlighting Spokane City Council President Candidate Betsy Wilkerson’s abhorrent record on public safety along with their latest ad.
“Betsy Wilkerson can run ads claiming support from first responders, but the truth is - our hardworking police men and women do not support her,” said John Estey, Executive Director of the Spokane Good Government Alliance. “Wilkerson can use accounting tricks to paint herself as a supporter but her words and actions don’t lie. As Spokane grapples with crime, repeat offenders back on the streets, and drugs - the fact that no law enforcement organizations endorsed her speaks volumes.”
“Spokane voters deserve to know that she voted to defund police drug investigations. She protested putting a police precinct into East Central despite overwhelming support and requests from its residents. Let’s not forget - she also wasn’t “too enthused” to help police with a murder investigation. She’s funded by defund the police advocates and she supports defund the police organizations and candidates. Heck, in private emails, she even thinks she could do a better job than our police men and women. If Spokane wants a safe community, they don’t want Betsy Wilkerson leading the City Council.”
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Wilkerson says publicly she supports police funding, but privately she is backed by and accepts support from radical anti-police groups like SCAR, PJALS, and FUSE. These groups have explicit goals as part of their platforms or pledges to defund and disband the police, or “redirect” police funding.
Wilkerson supported Natasha Hill for Congress, a staunch Defund the Police activist.
In an email obtained through a public records request, WIlkerson flippantly jokes that she could do a better job than our hardworking police men and women.
DRUGS
Wilkerson voted to defund Spokane Police Department’s drug investigations, despite Police Chief Meidl pleading with Council to not defund those assets.
She’s the head of the Association of Washington Cities but she certainly wasn’t in Olympia last year with Mayor Woodward and Chief Meidl advocating against public drug use. Rather, when there was a push for banning public drug use right here in Spokane, she was more worried about whether unhoused people would be able to do their drugs.
MAKING OUR COMMUNITY LESS SAFE
When the Spokane Police Department came to Wilkerson's place of business to conduct a murder investigation, Wilkerson told the officer she wasn’t “too enthused” to help them.
Wilkerson even protested a police precinct going into the East Central neighborhood which she erroneously claimed that she lives in, despite calls from community members and businesses for the police precinct.
Wilkerson, despite public outcry for the City Council to meaningfully address the homeless crisis, believes that homeless encampments and the drugs, crimes, and hazards material that come along with them, should be next to places where our children go to play, learn, and grow.
“Public safety is on the ballot this November,” Estey continued. “As former Sheriff Knezovich notes - Spokane voters have a choice. We can either support leaders who are going to stand up and protect our community or we can surrender to crime and homelessness. If we want a safe community, we need to elect Kim Plese for Council President. “
The Spokane Good Government Alliance was formed in 2019 to give members of the Spokane community a voice in the direction of our City. Our members represent a bi-partisan cross section of Spokane, with only one agenda: a safe, clean and affordable city where families can thrive, businesses can grow and law enforcement can be respected and supported.
