Street Performers, Buskers and Artists Spokane

On March 12, 2008 he had a meeting at City Hall about his concerns with the law, solicitation restrictions in particular.
He wrote a letter to the Mayor of Spokane on April 17, 2008 that also addressed his concerns with the law. He expressed concern for police officers' responses to street performers, the fee for a street vendors licence, and the ability to perform in Riverfront Park.
On June 19, 2008 the Harpman Hatter was performing on Main St. when he was confronted and threatened with a ticket by a police officer, who, ironically, had been present at his meeting at City Hall.
Also on June 19, 2008, The Harpman Hatter was written a letter from the City Attorney in response to his concerns that were adressed in April. See letter HERE
Harpman Hatter wrote an editorial letter to the Spokesman Review on June 22, 2008, which described the police incident on June 19th and why it violated aspects of the First Ammendment. See editorial HERE
He wrote a letter to the Mayor on June 27, 2008 discussing fundamental First Ammendment rights as well as his confrontation on June 19th. See letter HERE
The Center for Justice wrote critical letters and articles about the City of Spokane's proposed new restrictions on public solicitations - November 11 HERE, November 25 HERE, 2008.
The ordinance allowing street musicians to perform and accept donations was passed on November 24, 2008 and published in the official Spokane Gazette on December 3, 2008 (PDF). HERE
SpokesManReview.com article "City approves new restrictions on panhandling" by Jonathan Brunt, November 25, 2008 HERE
Noise level testing by Gonzaga University Audio Department reported by station KHQ http://www.khq.comMarch 2009 -- Rick states "What is historical and unique about this test, is it being done by a University, the audio department and legal department. Meaning not done this way very rare. Most of the research I have done on noise ordinance is because an officer writes a ticket and it goes to court and there is usually law suits and the musicians sometimes win and sometimes not. I hope this video that will not last will let you know how far this issue is gone. What I also am trying to do is get it across to people that is not about me but the buskers having the freedom to play without being harrassed." Video story showed students of Gonzaga University testing Rick playing the harmonica through a PA plus a short interview. Noise Ordinance Code of 70db is excessively low (Cars and traffic are over 80db) plus a $500 fine that is excessivley high. Video: HERE
January 11, 2010 Greetings: Regarding the noise ordinance law
The ordinance will amend smc 10.08.020 to create an exemption for sounds associated with the exercise of constitional protected free speech activities, including street performers, which do not exceed the ambient sound level where the actvities occur by specific decibel levels during specific time periods. The level that is being set is 10 decibels above ambient, in the day time to 10pm. The ambient levels are between 65 to 90 at any given time so this is good for street musicians regarding amplification. This should pass this evening, but we will see, I have been waiting about 9 months on this one. Rick Bocook aka Harpman Hatter street musician promoting the street music scene.

"New Spokane ordinance is music to the ears of street performers" by KREM.com Posted January 11, 2010 Link HERE
City of Spokane web site http://www.spokanecity.org/. See agendas and search for noise ordinance 10.08.020

Riverfront Park Demonstration: April 3, 2010 at 12 noon -- Protest anti solictation policy at park.

Details: http://www.mymediamagazine.com/spokaneart/April2010.html

Buskers Symposium/CLE -- An Examination of 1st Amendment Rights of Street Performers -- July 9, 2010 at 1 P.M. Barbieri Courtroom, Gonzaga University School of Law, Pending 3 CLE Credits in WA
Open to the public -- Free to general public, cost for CLE credit is $50
May 2012: Noise Ordinance with 100 foot inaudible rule being proposed.

Noise proposal has some fearing for the buskers - Spokesman Review http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/may/13/noise-proposal-has-some-fearing-buskers/
Sounds Like Trouble
The Center for Justice and Gonzaga University Law School’s University Legal Assistance program are registering several sharp concerns about a proposed new noise ordinance that is slated to be taken up by the Spokane City Council on Monday night, May 14th. http://www.cforjustice.org/2012/05/13/sounds-like-trouble/