Business owners to air homeless concerns near I-20, Washington Road

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Washington Road and Interstate 20 area is well-known as a central area for those experiencing homelessness.

On Tuesday evening, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is holding an open discussion on the corridor and any potential issues it is causing in the area.

Business managers on Washington Road told News 12 Tuesday that it’s common for homeless people to walk around and gather in the area.

It’s something that businesses say has been happening for awhile.

“There’s a lot but we don’t let them stay here,” said Normita Ladomira, store clerk at Raceway.

People are walking the streets of Washington Road and some even ask for money, according to Normita.

We talked to staff members of at least seven different hotels off Washington Road, and many of them told us they’d be attending the meeting to discuss the issues at hand.

Some hotels told us this is hurting business. But despite this causing issues, some are trying to help.

“I give them food, not alcohol. When I have some, just to help those who are a little hungry, okay. I get it on my own, like gifts. But not every day, I got a big family too,” said Ladomira.

A meeting to address the issue was held at the Warren Road Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The goal is to start a “proactive strategy” for the area, according to deputies.

We asked Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree if this would be the solution to the problem. He said, “I feel like this is a good start. Because right now we’re spinning our wheels, not just in Richmond County but throughout the country. We’re spinning our wheels because no one has a solid solution to the homeless problem.”

Among the objectives is to get permission from property owners for deputies to remove unauthorized property and temporary structures and remove people from parking areas where they have no business. The agency said it intends to get help from courts to address the constitutional rights of the property owner as well as anyone removed.

“I think I encourage business owners to sign up and I encourage business owners to hold the sheriff accountable for what he’s agreed to do,” Kelley Mobley says. Mobley’s mother-in-law has a business on Washington Road.

“I’m a little torn. I do think it’s more than past time for partnership between the citizens and Augusta. Interested to see what will come of it,” said Mobley.

It’s not looking to arrest, but give homeless resources.

“We’re not trying to criminalize you for being poor or having mental health issues. But again, we have to protect property owners and the citizens of Richmond County, so that’s the duality row that we have at the sheriff’s office,” said Roundtree.

Mobley says the homelessness in this area bring a spike in crime, impacting more than just business owners.

“The majority of these folks are committing crimes,” she said. “It’s not just about business owners, partnering with him. It’s about getting out and doing what needs to be done in public spaces in the community, and that’s not being done.”

The sheriff’s office will look at how many businesses have signed on at the end of the week and start as early as Monday.

If you are a business owner and were not at the meeting Tuesday night, you can pickup the paperwork at the sheriff’s office.

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