Garland’s Police Chief Jeff Bryan provided an update on the new homeless task group initiative to the mayor and council at the Aug. 19 work session.
Even though the Garland Police Department employs two officers dedicated to helping with the homelessness problem, the current demand is difficult to meet. Since several city departments are required to help the people and remove camps throughout the city, a new initiative will be implemented as of Sept. 1.
Camps, which are usually located in wooded areas near creeks and around parks, are a health/safety concern for everyone. Additionally, the camps are often located next to residential neighborhoods.
There is unsecured food at the camps that attracts rodents and there are issues with human waste at the camps and in the creeks. Additionally, many people are sleeping in storm drains which can be dangerous in in case of a flash flooding. It can also cause stop-ups in the drainage system. Bryan added that there are often full camps located in the tunnels.
Many hours are required to clean up the camps, but Bryan hopes that with the coordinated effort of the GPD, Environmental Waste, Stormwater, Code Enforcement and Transportation departments, along with temporary labor, the job will be more manageable.
When the camps are on private property, GPD works with the owners to get them to clean up the camps. If they do not, the city takes care of it through an abatement program. If the camps are on public property, they can be cleaned up and removed faster.
Bryan said that there are currently more than 50 camps to be cleaned up. The homeless individuals will be offered help to get relocated. A notification will also be given to let them know that they have 72 hours to vacate the camps. After that time, the task force will return with the cleanup crew. Their property will be stored for five days to give them an opportunity to recover it.
GPD has requested $142,000 to be allocated in the budget to cover the cost of temporary labor and to purchase storage containers.
Bryan will return to council to give an update on the program’s progress in November.