Following earlier warnings, Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies and Gainesville Police officers have been working toward getting the final occupants of a homeless encampment to leave what will become private property. To date, seven occupants of the property have been arrested on misdemeanor criminal trespass charges for their refusal to vacate the area.
The property, located between Aviation and Industrial Boulevards near Queen City Parkway, is part of a land swap. In the move, Mar-Jac Poultry will become the owner of the site behind the Georgia
Department of Driver Services (DDS), the current owner. DDS sent a letter to Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Chief Jay Parrish and Sheriff Gerald Couch requesting the removal of trespassers prior to the property transfer.
“It’s a difficult situation for everyone involved,” Sheriff Couch said. “We took proactive steps, such as
advanced notifications, to make this difficult task as tolerable as possible. An effort this past Friday, a week after our original visit, was also an educational one, to let the folks still trespassing know this is not their property, and they must leave.”
Educational opportunities were previously carried out on the mornings of Friday, Oct. 4, and again on
Wednesday, Oct. 9. HCSO Civil Unit deputies were on hand each time to speak with people trespassing on the property.
More than 30 criminal trespass warnings were issued, making individuals aware of the state’s
decision. Gainesville Police Officers with Crisis Intervention Team training were part of the team.
Representatives of United Way joined law enforcement on the first visit.
“We considered it important that education was handled by our Civil Unit and GPD’s CIT-trained officers,”
Couch said. “These deputies and officers are experts in maintaining the dignity and respect of individuals
who are in crisis situations. We also knew that United Way of Hall County would be instrumental in helping interested individuals find help.”
During Friday’s effort, mental health experts with GPD accompanied the team.
Mar-Jac Poultry began clearing the property of debris on Monday.