Atlanta, GA
Residents displaced by massive Atlanta apartment fire still fighting to get belongings
Resident says apartment won’t let him get belongings
Former residents of one northwest Atlanta apartment complex are fuming because they still can’t get their stuff. Bell Collier Apartments off Howell Mill Road caught fire on July 27. Management cancelled everyone’s leases a few days later because of the damage. But one resident says he has proof his unit wasn’t touched in the blaze and he says he just wants to be able to get what’s his.
ATLANTA – Former residents of the Bell Collier Village Apartments in northwest Atlanta are furious as they remain unable to get their belongings from their apartments following a devastating fire on July 27.
Christopher Jackson, one of those residents, said he has video proof that the inside of his home appeared undamaged, but still, management wouldn’t budge.
They canceled everyone’s lease earlier this month.
Days later, he said he returned to the complex on Howell Mill Road and a construction worker did him a favor by entering his unit to retrieve his medication.
“He FaceTimed me when he got into the unit, and the first thing he said when he got into my unit is, ‘This unit is just as you left it, there’s nothing wrong with this unit, I don’t know why they won’t let you in,’” Jackson recounted.
Though the video connection was poor, Jackson maintains there was no evidence of water, fire, or structural damage.
He presented the video to the company’s higher-ups, hoping they would reconsider their stance.
“They were more concerned in me telling them who recorded the video for me so they could reprimand them,” Jackson said.
A spokesperson for Bell Partners told FOX 5 in an email statement that the residents would get more information about how to get their things in the coming days.
“We appreciate the urgency and complexity of the situation,” said Rosie Downey, spokesperson for Bell Partners. “We are working with retrieval and recovery specialists to develop a safe and organized content removal process, as the site is not accessible given deteriorating and therefore hazardous conditions. Details will be shared in the coming days. We very much appreciate your continued understanding in this matter.”
Jackson expressed his frustration with the company’s communication.
“I am happy they responded to you because they have not responded to us. It’s just lies. They’re trying to do damage control with the media,” he said.
Having just signed a new lease, Jackson fears he may have to write off everything he owns still inside the building. But there are others who aren’t as lucky.
“There are people who have immigration papers in their unit, there are people who have ashes of deceased in their unit, and they will not let us in our units at all,” Jackson said.
Jackson has joined a class-action lawsuit against the building’s owners, alleging negligence.
Atlanta’s fire chief has also acknowledged equipment issues on the department’s end hindered efforts to combat the blaze.
Atlanta, GA
Braves News: NBP pieces falling into place, slow market, more
Well the NBP posted players all seem to be settled now, with Imai and Okamoto having signed with an MLB club and Takahashi returning to the NBP. Those players do not seem to have sparked movement in the overall market, either in free agency or in trades, at least so far, as this offseason continues to be glacial. Hopefully things pick up a bit as we get more separation from the holidays. The Braves still seem to be motivated to make a big addition, but this front office has shown that the right deal has to be there for them to pull the trigger.
Atlanta, GA
Police investigating stabbing on Moreland Avenue in SE Atlanta
ATLANTA – A man was stabbed Saturday in southeast Atlanta, according to police.
What we know:
According to Atlanta police, officers responded to the 400 block of Moreland Avenue SE to reports of a male who had been stabbed. Investigators believe a female and male were involved in a dispute that resulted in the stabbing.
What we don’t know:
Police did not identify the male or female.
No word yet on charges.
The Source: Information provided by the Atlanta Police Department.
Atlanta, GA
Business damaged as 500 teens swarm Atlantic Station
A large police presence responded to Atlantic Station on Saturday
ATLANTA – Atlanta police say nearly 500 teenagers caused a massive disturbance at Atlantic Station Saturday night, launching fireworks into crowds and eventually drawing real gunfire outside the district.
Atlantic Station chaos
The backstory:
Atlanta police originally responded to the shopping center after 7 p.m. following reports of shots fired. While investigators quickly determined the sounds were actually fireworks being ignited by a large crowd of “unruly” juveniles, the situation turned more dangerous as the crowd was dispersed.
“It can escalate from firecrackers to now its guns to life being taken. That’s something we don’t want,” said John Williams, who was visiting the area.
As officers cleared the mall, a group of teenagers allegedly began firing actual guns near Spring Street NW and 17th Street.
Shooting outside Atlantic Station
What they’re saying:
The gunfire sent patrons at Nan Thai Fine Dining ducking for cover.
“Definitely about 30 shots,” said Jedi Niyomkul, the restaurant’s general manager. “I’m making sure everyone is on the ground because we do have a lot of glass.”
Niyomkul said the restaurant was hit by at least one bullet. He expressed frustration that the crowd was pushed out of the mall but not adequately monitored once they crossed into the surrounding city streets.
“Once they got them across the bridge, there was no patrol over on this side to make sure that they dispersed,” Niyomkul said. “Literally at 17th and Spring, right there, 100 to 150 kids just sitting all around the corner, doing absolutely nothing, just looking for trouble.”
Atlantic Station curfew
Dig deeper:
The disturbance occurred despite Atlantic Station’s strict codes of conduct. The district enforces a 3 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18, requiring them to be with a parent or guardian. Additionally, no one under 21 is allowed on the property after 9 p.m.
Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond said the city must find a more consistent way to manage large groups of youth.
“We again manage this population policy-wise, more than any other segment than our society, so we all got to step up year-round in how we manage that population,” Bond said.
The Source: Information in this article came from Atlanta police and FOX 5’s Annie Mapp speaking with Jedi Niyomkul and Michael Julian Bond.
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