Trespassing
Trespassing – In modern law the word trespass is used most commonly to describe the intentional and wrongful invasion of another’s real property. An action for trespass can be maintained by the owner or anyone else who has a lawful right to occupy the real property, such as the owner of an apartment building, a tenant, or a member of the tenant’s family. The action can be maintained against anyone who interferes with the right of ownership or possession, whether the invasion is by a person or by something that a person has set in motion
This is one of the top quality of life issues we are trying to resolve. This includes trespassing for the purpose of drug or gang related activity. This includes standing, sitting lying in front of a business or floors in a manner that disturbs patrols, block or obstructs potential or actual business traffic or obstructs other patrons from using the facilities.
If you are a business owner, resident or visiting and working in Downtown Atlanta don’ t be discouraged. There are creative solutions to eliminating trespassing. We can help.
Rich Building
SOMA is working with the owners of the Rich Building (located at 82 Peachtree Street) to alleviate the trespassing problem in the entryways of businesses. Where necessary we provide resources for those who may be in need of housing resources. The owners of the Rich Building own several storefronts along the MLK strip between Pryor and Peachtree Street. In cooperation with SOMA and CAP, the owners recently installed a gate at one of the storefronts near the Underground Parking garage. The new gate is code compliant, and it will help alleviate loitering, trash and public urination and defecation and drug use in the entryway of this business.
Next, at the request of law enforcement, they have installed new lighting in some of the storefronts to further deter loitering, vagrancy and criminal activity along this strip.
79 Broad
We have also worked with the owners at to secure their property. This location was used as a destination for illegal activity, including consuming open cans of alcohol and drug use. This is an example of working smarter and not harder. By simply securing the front entrance and sides, we no longer have to consume police resources with 911 calls regarding this location.
Parking Company of America
Owns several lots in South Downtown., most notably the lot located at Trinity and Peachtree by the Garnett Train Station. This lot is being used repeatedly by individuals who setup and feed people who flock to Downtown Atlanta. It is also being used as a place to sell goods, setup barbershop stations and also transact illegal activity. During the week you can find large amounts of trash that collect on the property and are placed in bags and set on the street. Disposal of trash in this way is not allowed per City Code. We have reached out to Susana Chavez the Executive Vice President of Parking Company of America. Hopefully a resolution will come. Below is a video
USA Boutique - You often see the area around this sports store swarming with people who are sitting on the ledges outside of the store. Although No Loitering signs are placed in the windows it is difficult to determine who is waiting for the bus and who is there just hanging out. With cooperation from the owners we are in the process of recommending some cost effective solutions to make it impossible for people to sit on the ledges.
