C.O.P.S. West
1901 West Boone
Spokane, WA 99201
About Us
C.O.P.S. West was born of tragedy.
The October 20, 1991 abduction of 11 year old Nicki Wood and 12 year old Rebecca West from the West Central area roused the neighborhood to fight crime and make life safer for its residents. When Nicki’s body was found, neighbors united to gain support of the city council and police department and formed Spokane’s first volunteer-operated Community Oriented Policing Service substation.
C.O.P.S. West opened May 1, 1992. Rebecca West is still missing.
C.O.P.S. West was originally built, furnished and in 1994 expanded entirely by donations from neighborhood businesses, building trade unions and residents. C.O.P.S. West still operates with volunteer staff and is supported largely by donations (except for Spokane Police, Department of Corrections neighborhood-based probation, and parole services). The substation has become a community policing model throughout Spokane and the world.
Services
Throughout our shop history, C.O.P.S. West’s services have reflected the every-changing needs and resources of our diverse West Central neighborhood. During our first two years, nearly 200 C.O.P.S. West volunteers, 60 of them trained Level 1 desk volunteers, worked to provide crime prevention services. West Central’s crime rate dropped 25%. By 1996, people became complacent, volunteer numbers and hours dropped 45% and our crime rate soared again. This ebb and flow has continued.
We are grateful to the many neighborhood volunteers from our partnering agencies who help with Washington State Department of Corrections Community Corrections Officers based at C.O.P.S. West. C.C.O.3 Bruce Woods, C.C.O.2 Todd Fry, and C.C.O.2 Scott Hepler are wonderful partners, as we offer mutual service to their clients and our neighbors.
We invite you to join us as C.O.P.S. West volunteers serving with a great group of dedicated people, receiving free training and having fun together in highly worthwhile community crime prevention. Stop by or call us for more information.
Programs
We provide the following C.O.P.S. programs as our available volunteer force allows and as needs arise in our community:
- Front Desk Operations
- Block Watch
- Operation Family I.D.
- McGruff Safe House
- Neighborhood Observation Patrol (N.O.P)
- Graffiti Reporting
- Victim Contact Program
- Registered Sex Offenders Flyers
- Bicycle Registration
- Safe Streets
Projects
C.O.P.S. West’s National Night Out Against Crime, Block Watch parties, Neighborhood Cleanup, and other projects and special events are scheduled as interest is expressed by our neighbors and collaborations. These are arranged with other C.O.P.S. substations, Spokane Police Department, West Central Neighborhood Council, West Central Community Center, West Central Neighborhood Coalition/Education Team, and other government agencies.
Events
West Central Community Neighbor Days annually celebrates the anniversary of the Grand Opening of West/Wood C.O.P.S. West on May 1, 1992.
C.O.P.S. West, West Central Community Center, West Central Community Coalition and friends celebrate each April at West Central Community Center and adjacent A.M. Cannon Park.
Join in the fun all ages with a carnival and booths featuring works of local artists and crafters, information booths of C.O.P.S. West and other non-profit organizations, music entertainment and refreshments.
Meetings
General Meeting: Second Thursday of each month, 2:00p.m., located at C.O.P.S. West.
People
The volunteers at C.O.P.S. West are men and women of various ages. Some are retired and others currently working in various businesses. Their common cause is helping the neighborhoods and their citizens maintain and improve their quality of life and safety.
C.O.P.S. West Board:
- President – Laura Dowty
- Vice President – Position Open
- Secretary – Kirstin Freese
- Treasurer – Harold Bowker
- Statistician – Open
- Graffiti Team – Harold Bowker & Mary Fryback
- Volunteer Coordinator – Kirstin Freese
- Neighborhood Observation Patrol – Mary Fryback & Heather Lundy
- Block Watch Coordinator – Laura Dowty
- McGruff Safe House Coordinator – Laura Dowty
Partnerships
- Washington State Department of Corrections
- Washington State Attorney General’s Office
- West Central Community Center
- West Central Neighborhood Council
- West Central neighborhood businesses
- West Central Neighborhood Coalition/Education Team
- West Central Life
Fundraisers
The family of the late Bob and Donna Lipe continue their generous support by leasing our substation building at 1901 West Boone to Spokane C.O.P.S. for $1.00 per year, so long as it remains the C.O.P.S. West substation. We continue to solicit and receive donations and memorial gifts from individuals, businesses and other organizations. We seek grants from business, civic and government organizations. Fundraising events vary as ideas and opportunities arise, including rummage sales, a raffle, sports competitions and C.O.P.S. West Craft Sale at West Central Neighbor Days.
Newsletter
Bi-monthly
Contact Us
Phone: (509) 625-3340
Fax: (509) 568-3107
E-mail: copswest@spokanepolice.org
If you have questions, please fill out the form below.