Virginia-Highland neighbors blame city housing project for rise in crime

The Brief

  • Atlanta police cleared trespassers and loiterers from a vacant storefront at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Bonaventure Boulevard.
  • Neighbors report a rise in violence, drugs, and trash since a nearby building was converted into 23 rapid housing apartments for the chronically homeless.
  • Longtime residents are calling for better management of the city-backed housing project to ensure the safety of the surrounding Virginia Highland community.

ATLANTA Atlanta police recently moved to clear out loiterers and trespassers from a vacant northeast Atlanta storefront as frustrated Virginia-Highland neighbors warn that a nearby city-backed housing project is spiraling out of control.

Residents report spike in neighborhood crime

What we know:

Atlanta police took action this week at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Bonaventure Boulevard NE to remove trespassers from a vacant store property.

The landlord also moved patio furniture and posted “Private Property” signs to deter further loitering. This police activity follows a stabbing that occurred at the same location over the weekend.

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