Squatters Evicted from Georgia Home After Months of Unlawful Occupation
Officers from the South Fulton Police Department in Georgia have taken six individuals into custody and confiscated a stolen vehicle from a vacant home where the suspects had allegedly been squatting since last Christmas.
A Persistent Presence
The home, located in the Hampton Oaks neighborhood, has been plagued by unwelcome visitors, according to Kendra Snorton, vice president of the homeowners association (HOA). “We’ve noticed the ringleader walking his dog in the neighborhood,” Snorton said. “He’s polite, but they’ve been moving in and out of the vacant home.”
Mel Keyton, the HOA president, detailed the extent of the problem. “They’ve broken into another home in the subdivision, stolen a car, and then returned to the home they’ve been occupying,” Keyton stated.
Unwelcome and Dangerous
The presence of squatters has raised safety concerns for residents. “They use our amenities, they walk through the neighborhood, they break into houses,” Keyton said. Snorton echoed these concerns, stating that their presence brings a sense of unease.
Crackdown on Squatting
South Fulton is not alone in taking action against squatting. In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill eliminating squatters’ rights. Similarly, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently signed a bill making squatting a crime in the state.
Governor Kemp believes the new law will help protect property owners and streamline the eviction process. “This is insanity,” Kemp said in an interview. “We’re passing legislation that will stiffen the penalties, go after these folks, and allow property owners to seek damages.”
A Wider Problem
Squatting has become an increasing issue across the United States, with squatters often exploiting legal loopholes to remain in vacant properties. Struggling to pay rent, many families and individuals resort to squatting as a last resort.
While solving the underlying causes of homelessness is a complex issue, law enforcement and legislators are seeking to address the problem of squatting, protecting the rights of property owners and ensuring the safety of communities.
