Title
Security for the One-Stop Center at 3335 North Main Terrace (B)
This item responds to the August 27, 2007, City Commission referral concerning security for the proposed one-stop homeless assistance center.
Explanation
On August 27, 2007, during its discussion of the proposed one-stop homeless assistance center at 3335 North Main Terrace, the City Commission referred the matter of security at the one-stop center to the City Manager. In response, the City Manager requested the Office on Homelessness to determine alternatives for providing security, including the costs for these services. Because of its involvement in the planning of the one-stop center, the Implementation Committee of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness was also asked to provide recommendations on providing security.
The issue that has prompted the discussion of security is ensuring that persons who access services at the one-stop center leave once it closes each day and do not remain on-site or in the adjacent neighborhoods. The one-stop center was originally proposed to operate from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the latest, Monday through Saturday, and from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday. In reality, due to the limitations on operating funding and the ability of the one-stop center providers (the GRACE Marketplace collaborative) to extend services, the center is expected to operate from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on weekends and holidays. Collaborative partners would be able to use the facility afterwards, to serve dinner, for example. However, no on-site activities are proposed for the one-stop center after 6:00 pm any day.
The Office on Homelessness polled local providers of services and shelter/housing for the homeless and found that none of them either required or provided on-site security for their facilities or the surrounding neighborhoods. Nonetheless, the Office on Homelessness contacted local private security firms to determine the cost of providing their services and found that the annual cost ranged from $15,288 to $25,480. This information, along with the cost of utilizing off-duty GPD officers for comparison, is provided with the agenda back up.
On October 18, the Implementation Committee appointed an ad hoc subcommittee to address the issue of security for the one-stop center and the surrounding neighborhood. The subcommittee reported back to the full Implementation Committee on November 1, at which time the Implementation Committee accepted the report and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Commission. That report is included with the agenda back up for the City Commission's consideration. Information concerning the cost for RTS to provide additional bus service from the one-stop center is also included with the agenda back up.
Fiscal Note
The City and County Commissions have budgeted funds for the operation of the one-stop center, but not for security services or additional transportation via RTS or other modes.
Recommendation
The City Commission receive a report on addressing security at the proposed one-stop homeless assistance center, including a report from the Implementation Committee of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, and take the following actions based on recommendations from the Implementation Committee: Request that the GRACE Marketplace collaborative partners institute a policy that requires all persons to leave the one-stop center after it closes each day; request GPD to increase patrols in the vicinity of the one-stop center after it closes each day; and the Implementation Committee further remind the City and County Commissions that there is a need for shelter during evening and night hours in a facility that provides a roof, cots and toilets. The Implementation Committee will continue to work on a solution to that issue and bring recommendations to both Commissions at a future time.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission receive a report on addressing security at the proposed one-stop homeless assistance center, including a report from the Implementation Committee, and defer action.