By WSBTV.com News Staff
March 27, 2023 at 5:34 pm EDT
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Just days after county officials issued an order for the public to stay away from the area around the site of the proposed Atlanta public safety training facility, authorities say they’ve found barriers, booby traps, and trespassers on the land.
On Monday, DeKalb County police and surrounding agencies executed a raid to clear the site at Intrenchment Creek Park of trespassers.
The DeKalb County police chief said Monday’s raid uncovered something that was cause for grave concern – fentanyl.
“We actually found something that we’ve never found before, several vials full of fentanyl,” said Chief Mirtha Ramos.
Dekalb County Commissioner Ted Terry, told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln, the right to peacefully protest at the site of the new public safety training facility was taken away.
“The concern is, we’re pushing the free speech zone, too far away,” Terry said.
County leaders said the park that is home to several walking and biking trails is no longer safe to the public and has been the site of recent violent protests.
Terry said while he doesn’t agree with the violent protest, he thinks County leaders should work to provide a peaceful protesting zone.
“Will there still be the ability to still have peaceful protest,” he said.
A DeKalb County parcel map shows six parcels listed that are impacted by this order. However, Terry said the park’s entrance — which is the old South River Trialhead — is not a listed parcel on the order.
DeKalb County told Channel 2 Action News that since 2021, the former South River Trailhead has not been publicly owned and is not a DeKalb County park.
The county said the park is now owned by Blackhall Real Estate Phase II, LLC.
Because this is private property, DeKalb County said they are not aware of any judicial order that says the privately owned BlackHall Property must remain open to the public.
DeKalb County police said two people were arrested, three persons left voluntarily, and one vehicle was towed following Monday’s raid.