Greensboro council moves forward with Interactive Resource Center plan

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) – The Interactive Resource Center, which provides resources for the homeless community, has come under fire from Greensboro city leaders. They cite crime, an unsafe environment and operational concerns as problems.

But the IRC says they are overwhelmed with the amount of people they serve and they need more money from the city to make changes.

On Thursday for nearly two hours, council members and leaders from the IRC went back and forth to get clarification on the budget and the additional funds requested. If they don’t get the money, the IRC would need to scale back on its operations, which is not what either sides want.

“I really am hopeful and thankful,” said Bennita Curtain, the director of programs at the IRC, after the meeting.

The IRC said they heard the concerns and they have a plan to address them. The top priority is security with a price tag of just over $206,000 to pay for a contracted unarmed security guard on site at all hours.

“We are going to have lengthy conversations with Phoenix for the quote … The security officer will be walking the perimeter of the outside, will be waking the inside, checking bathrooms, checking constantly, on the move and monitoring all the areas,” said Kristina Singleton, the IRC’s executive director.

The IRC always has one internal security monitor on-site. This new guard would make two at all times. There are also cameras up and connected to the Greensboro Police Department’s Real Rime Crime Center. The IRC is in conversation with the GPD and the sheriff’s office to provide more drive-throughs to increase police presence.

“That really is a philosophy shift for them. They are a no-barrier shelter … For that, I certainly understand … Now, they have so many individuals visiting that site. They really needed to institute some security measures, and I hope they find a way to hold people accountable for their actions,” Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said.

The next immediate need is to create better relationships with neighbors and to address any litter or dumping. The IRC hired guests to clean up around the property and surrounding properties. There will also be new signs up spelling out the IRC rules for its guests.

Vaughan and the city council agreed to put the first six months of funding on the next council agenda.

“The plan that they came back to us … costs significantly more than the original plan, but a lot of that was based on things that we wanted to see included,” Vaughan said.

They will have routine check-ins with the IRC. If there is an improvement, they could approve the next six months of funds.

“We know there is not a lot of funding out there, but if we want to address the real issues, we have to be realistic about the real funding that is needed,” Curtain said.

The mayor said Thursday was a good first step and we can expect more of these conversations to continue. The council is expected to vote on the first six months of funding at their meeting on Aug. 5.

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