Greensboro city leaders say security falls short at Interactive Resource Center

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) —Greensboro city leaders are concerned about safety and the operations of the Interactive Resource Center.

One month ago, the Greensboro City Council approved additional funding of $463,000 for the center.

City leaders say after the IRC received that funding one month ago, they expected the center to have additional 24/7 security on site by Sept. 1, which the IRC doesn’t have.

“They could have been making arrangements right after we took the vote,” Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said.

Security is one of the things IRC Executive Director Kristina Singleton said is currently in the works under the center’s 30-60-90-day plan.

Singleton said additional 24/7 security is expected to be at the center next week.

“We were waiting for our contracts from the city. We have a go from them to go ahead and start being able to move forward with the things that we need to do. We’re super excited for all of the changes that we have coming up,” Singleton said.

Some city leaders say that’s not good enough. Last month, the city and the IRC agreed to a plan to address safety, and the mayor feels like the nonprofit isn’t executing that plan.

“I don’t feel that it’s being handled properly. I was very frustrated regarding the lack of security. We had extended conversations about making sure that there was 24/7 security. We voted on it a few weeks back. And the way that the contracts work is that their funds are reimbursable,” Vaughan said.

Since that additional funding was approved on Aug. 5, there have been 72 911 calls for service to the IR.

“We haven’t had any increase … There’s always going to be people here that are suffering in some way that may need EMS support, and we support calling on that,” Singleton said.

Some of those calls include disorderly conduct, assault and suspicious activity.

Councilman Zack Matheny said he’s worried.

“This all really came about when … the EMS decided that they would not go to the IRC until the police department came down and cleared the building. That’s how this all started. So if EMS is saying, ‘We don’t feel safe at the IRC to go help somebody. We need police to come in.’ There’s a problem,” Matheny said.

Greensboro City Councilmember At-Large Marikay Abuzuaiter said additional security is necessary.

“I don’t think any of us can afford another week of delay … I’m hoping that it will come through quicker than one week and that things will be in place … We’re still going to have issues and problems, but at least we know the area would be secure,” Abuzuaiter said.

City leaders want open communication with IRC leaders if they need help making the planned improvements.

At this time, there are also plumbing renovations underway at the IRC to allow its bathrooms to accommodate the significant increase in people the center has been serving.

City leaders plan to follow up with IRC leaders.

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