Criminal prosecution is willfully discouraged in America’s deep blue cities.
That’s something those who commit crimes know all too well, and it has devastating consequences for everyone else.
And Atlanta squatter schemers have turned a neighborhood into a complete hellscape.
The criminal justice system in Atlanta isn’t working.
That’s been the experience of countless property owners and landlords in the city.
The problem is multi-faceted.
Joe Biden’s lousy economy and persistent inflation have driven housing costs through the roof.
Average rent in Atlanta has risen 34% since the start of the Covid pandemic to nearly $1900 per month.
Squatters rights run amok in the city of Atlanta
The supply of affordable housing isn’t keeping up with the demand and squatters count on the fact that they can’t be easily dislodged because of a lengthy and convoluted legal process.
This creates a snowball effect where each illegal occupation means there’s one less home available for a family in need of quality, single-family rental housing and that simply drives up housing costs even further.
With the power of the internet accessible on every cell phone it’s never been easier for lawbreakers to scour online listings of vacant buildings.
Scammers even set up fraudulent listings and create fake lease agreements on social media.
Once a squatter has moved in, it may take up to three months to get a court hearing for an eviction and an additional three months to get the freeloaders legally forced out.
The problem has gotten so out of hand that it is impacting a jaw-dropping 1,200 homes in the city.
It’s gotten so bad that one homeowner told the New York Post that he is afraid to go on vacation as his neighborhood has been taken over by squatters.
He worries that if his house was found to be vacant, people could simply move right in.
It’s gotten so bad that Simon Frost, CEO of Tiber Capital Group, wrote to local authorities begging for help.
Violence, illegal activities, and threats to neighbors and children are rising rapidly
Frost said, “Unlawful occupants often brandish weapons and threaten neighbors, including children. This problem is rapidly growing. We are concerned about the impact that this is having on safety and livability of our local neighborhoods.”
Back in October, a truly jaw-dropping incident occurred where squatters transformed a home into an illegal strip club involving weekend parties and even horses on the property.
An incredulous neighbor told WSB-TV, “They would get live horses. One day they had live horses.”
A SWAT team was later dispatched to the house where two stolen cars, stolen credit cards and weapons were seized.
Four people were eventually arrested over the matter.
When deployed Lt. Colonel Dahlia Daure returned home last year after serving her country she found out that a man had moved into her house as it was in the process of being sold.
She told WSB-TV, “I felt violated. Had I not been serving my country; I would have been in my home.”
A neighbor commented on the sad state of affairs, saying, “Is this even America anymore? We are homeowners and we can’t even do anything about trespassers?”
In the end, all of this is one more reason for the everyday law-abiding not to move to Democrat-run large cities, and if you are already there, it may be wise to get out while you still can.
Stay tuned to Blue State Blues for any updates to this ongoing story.
