Squatters Take Over Home in Georgia Democrat's Neighborhood

A Georgia Democrat says he is "flabbergasted" after a group of squatters occupying a house said to be worth over $500,000 have committed multiple alleged crimes, one after another, in the metro Atlanta area.

On May 4, police officers in South Fulton arrested six people and recovered a stolen vehicle from a home that was supposed to be vacant on a street called Caveat Court, Lieutenant Jubal Rogers tells Newsweek. They had occupied the residence, estimated to cost more than $518,000, according to Zillow, since Christmas.

The vehicle has been returned to its rightful owner and an investigation remains ongoing, Rogers said.

Mel Keyton, a Democratic candidate in Georgia's 65th State House District, told WAGA that the suspects broke into a neighbor's home and stole a car before returning to the home they were occupying.

Keyton and the police "put two and two together" when they saw the stolen vehicle sitting in broad daylight.

"It's dangerous," Keyton said of the squatters. "They use our amenities. They walk through the neighborhood. They break into houses."

Atlanta Police
An Atlanta police vehicle sits parked outside State Farm Arena in Atlanta on July 28, 2019. A homeowners association president and Democratic candidate in a Georgia Senate race says squatters have taken over a residence... Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

On April 26, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed into law the Georgia Squatter Reform Act, which makes squatting illegal statewide. Aside from arrests, those charged with squatting could be fined based on the monthly rental rate of the property in question, as well as any additional charges based on the landlord's legal action.

"Police Chief Keith Meadows and staff worked tirelessly with Georgia General Assembly members in crafting responsible legislation to combat unlawful squatting. ... We sincerely appreciate the vigilance of our community members, who play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to reduce crime in our city," Rogers said.

On Monday morning, Keyton told WAGA that the suspects posted bail for their offenses and then returned to break into the residence, leading to another arrest.

Keyton referred to the situation over the weekend as a "short victory" that requires additional response from South Fulton Police, who have to "go through the process again."

"This is the worst criminal activity I've ever seen in my life," said Keyton, president of the Hampton Oaks Homeowners Association.

He attributed the persistent situation, which according to reports began on December 25 of last year, to certain companies with no "real underwriting processes" purchasing large numbers of homes that then remain vacant.

"People can't afford a house and they move out, and these companies have bought so many homes that they're not in the business of being landlords. They don't know how to be landlords," Keyton said. "They can't handle all these properties, and I think these squatters, they know it."

Hampton Oaks Homeowners Association Vice President Kendra Snorton told WAGA that the squatters' "ringleader" is routinely seen by community members walking his dog and being "very courteous and polite."

"Not knowing who's living amongst us, it really makes you feel uneasy, and you just don't feel safe," Snorton added. "You don't feel safe."

Update 05/07/24, 10:08 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from South Fulton Lieutenant Jubal Rogers.

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