SPOKANE, Wash – One
day after Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub announced he intended to close the
Knitting Factory in the wake of recent violence, talks between the two sides are
in progress.
After two overnight
gang-related shootings Monday, Chief Straub suspended the concert venue's live
entertainment license. That day,
representatives from Knitting Factory Entertainment reached out directly to the
Police Chief and Mayor David Condon. A
corporate representative is flying to Spokane Wednesday, and has requested a
meeting with Chief Straub, which will be held Thursday.
At that meeting, the
parties are expected to discuss safety concerns and the expectations on each
side. Spokane Police have already added
7 officers to the downtown patrol in recent months. Monday, Chief Straub said police have been
called to the Knitting Factory 60 times in the last year – including for 25 EMS
calls and 4 shootings – and that it's been identified as a hotbed for
crime.
As of Tuesday, the
Knitting Factory had not filed an appeal with the City Clerk in Spokane. However, they still have 19 days to do
so.
Right now, the only
concert officially canceled is this Friday's "509 Lyrical Masterminds"
show. If you already bought tickets
online through TicketWeb, you will get a refund. The company is doing one large refund to all
ticket holders, but it can take up to 7 days from when the refund is ordered for
the money to appear in your account.
There are several,
smaller live music venues in Spokane.
However, they tell KHQ it would be difficult to accommodate the large
crowds the Knitting Factory often draws.
No arrests have been
made in Monday's overnight shootings, but police say those involved in the first
shooting just across the street from the Knitting Factory were attending the
private event held there Sunday night.
Police say they have identified the gangs involved, and are working on
bringing those responsible to justice.
