Knoxville to hire security firm for homeless center
Knoxville TN October 26 2018
The Knoxville City Council voted Tuesday to approve the hiring of a security service to operate at an area being refurbished to serve as a daytime area for Knoxville’s homeless population.
A vote to approve the security company’s presence at a daytime area for Knoxville’s homeless population passed unanimously during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
The city plans to hire the security company to open the gate in the mornings, maintain order during the day and to close the gate at night. The vote deciding to allow the city to pay Vinson Guard Service no more than $170,000 dollars per year.
“We want a space available for people who have nowhere else to go and security will just help maintain basic order and allow people to feel safe while they’re there,” said Knoxville homeless programs coordinator Michael Dunthron.
The city of Knoxville is cleaning up a homeless camp under a bridge as the city plans to start work on what they’re calling a ‘day space’. This will be a fenced-in area complete with tables, benches and restrooms.
Social workers will be on hand to help people. The space will be cleaned every night.
While the security keeps the peace, they hope the social workers will be able to work with those taking advantage of the new space to get them connected to helpful resources.
WATE
