Event security cost solution

Mon., Aug. 26, 2019

In response to “Hoopfest cost-sharing agreement stalls” (June 18):

Simple fix: Treat every Spokane event that requires security equally. The “Three Spokane Giants”: Bloomsday, Pig Out in the Park and Hoopfest all had modest roots. Bloomsday, 1,198 runners (1977), Pig Out in the Park, a few food booths (1988) and Hoopfest, 511 teams (1990). Today’s “modest-sized” events could someday be another “Spokane Giant.”

Today, our big three events generate over $100 million revenue annually, with 8%-17% taxes paid to the city. Those taxes are more than enough to pay security for the events. Those taxes shouldn’t be a city windfall; the windfalls should be the quality-of-life enhancements, economic “sonic boom” and huge badges of civic pride. Write a new agreement that applies equally to all events, big and small. All of Spokane will benefit.

Dave Jackson

Spokane

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