The city of Irving’s short-term plan to address visible impacts of homelessness in its downtown include increased police patrols, adding center arm rests on benches, and coordinating with outreach organizations — but some residents and council members say those are inadequate solutions to a bigger issue.
Imelda Speck, Senior Manager of Housing & Redevelopment, said during last week’s city council work session that businesses have reported public health and sanitation concerns.
“There have been some heightened concerns due to some of, or tied, I should say, to some of the visible impacts of homelessness downtown,” Speck said…