ATLANTA – Residents in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood say they are on high alert after a man was seen lurking outside homes and peering into windows, sometimes near bedrooms and bathrooms. 

At least two families report separate incidents involving the same individual, raising concerns throughout the community.

What they’re saying:

Alisha Brown, one of the victims, said her family’s sense of safety has been shattered.

“We’re both on high alert,” Brown said. “My son, he had to talk to his counselor today because he’s been super hypervigilant and suspicious of everything and everyone around him.”

Brown said she woke up Wednesday morning to find the man standing just outside her bedroom window.

“He would just stand here, which made me feel like he didn’t want to be seen, but he could see into my bathroom,” she recalled.

Just two days earlier, Brown noticed the same man watching her while she was in the garden.

“He made it all the way over and he saw me standing on my porch and then he jumped back,” she said.

Brown also recognized the man in Ring camera footage captured at a neighbor’s home this week.

“My heart dropped into my stomach again,” she said. “It was him. It was him. It fit my description to a T.”

What we know:

Atlanta police responded to Brown’s home on Wednesday and briefly pursued the suspect, but he got away. Authorities say there are similarities between this case and another recent “peeping Tom” incident, though they have not confirmed whether it is the same person.

What’s next:

Brown said she hopes going public will help police find the man.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else because it’s very violating,” she said. “It’s hard to put into words. I wasn’t touched, but I feel touched.”

What you can do:

Police are urging anyone with information or who has experienced similar activity to come forward. The man’s face has been blurred in surveillance footage as authorities work to confirm his identity.

EXCLUSIVE: Smarter, not harder, is the theme Congress should follow to pass tax relief in its budget efforts, according to the top Republican running in one of only two gubernatorial races this year.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, seeking to succeed term-limited Gov. Glenn Youngkin, unveiled her “Axe the Tax” framework, identifying consensus areas where people across the political spectrum can support it.

Her plan would end taxes on tips in Virginia, mirroring President Donald Trump’s policy proposal and seeking to give a break to residents in a state known for its nightlife and tourist meccas like Alexandria, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach and Roanoke.

Food service workers, personal service workers, hospitality and other gratuity-based industry employees would pay 0% statewide under her plan, which she said gives working families a break they’re clamoring for on both the state and federal levels.

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It also repeals the automobile tax and vehicle-based property taxes, which residents of 27 out of the 50 states pay.

“The ‘Axe the Tax’ plan is rooted in a simple truth: Working Americans shouldn’t be punished for earning a living or driving to work,” Sears told Fox News Digital in exclusive remarks.

“Conservatives in Congress get that, and they should follow Virginia’s lead. … Real working families deserve to keep more money in their pockets, and, as governor, I’ll make sure they do.”

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Sears said ending taxes on tips on a national and state level recognizes that a tip is a “recognition of great service,” not another avenue for the government to take its share.

With most middle-class people either working service industry jobs and/or owning a car, Sears said her initial tax plan is evidence that a surgical approach is what is needed to properly address what the people are asking for, rather than trying to do too much at once.

“Virginia’s economy is powered by a thriving service sector and thousands of hardworking commuters made up of families like mine,” Sears said. “Tip earners are stretched to the limit. Working parents depend on their cars, not a METRO line, to get through the day. This isn’t just Virginia’s story. It’s the reality for families across the country.”

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Respecting the political process and “actually listen[ing] to people” and responding in kind is how a politician should lead, she said.

Like Congress, where Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers and have often seen similarly closely split governance, the “Axe the Tax” plan includes provisions that “prove you can work within a divided chamber and still put taxpayers first,” Earle-Sears said.

“Virginia is leading the way.”

Aspen Gersper has announced she will transfer to the University of Florida for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. Gersper spent one season at Virginia and has three years of eligibility remaining.

This past season, Gersper did not swim at ACCs and instead finished her season at the Cavalier Invite. There she swam to a lifetime best of a 53.07 in the 100 backstroke. She also swam season best times in the 200 free (1:47.86) and 100 fly (53.78).

The Boca Raton, Florida native was a “Best of the Rest” ranked recruit coming out of high school and was a member of Virginia’s recruiting class that was ranked #1 in the nation last fall.

Gersper’s Best SCY Times:

• 50 free: 22.73
• 100 free: 48.94
• 200 free: 1:47.38
• 100 back: 53.07
• 100 fly: 52.93

Gersper joins a Florida team that has numerous transfers out of the program this offseason, including NCAA Champion Bella Sims. The women finished 2nd behind Texas at the 2025 SEC Championships and went on to finish 6th at NCAAs.

Based on her best times, Gersper would have made the SEC ‘C’ final in the 100 back this past season as it took a 53.11 to earn a second swim. Her 100 fly best time would have been only 0.01 off of making it back as well. It took a 22.40 in the 50 free and a 48.82 to make it back in the 100 free.

The Florida women will have a huge gap to fill with Sims transferring to Michigan. Sims led the team in the 50 free (21.90), 100 free (46.53), 200 free (1:42.55), 500 free (4:31.06), 100 back (48.97), 200 back (1:47.11), 200 fly (1:53.11), and 200 IM (1:53.63) this season.

Gersper’s best time in the 100 free would have been 4th on the roster this past season. With Sims going to Michigan and Micayla Cronk graduating, Gersper’s time is the 2nd fastest for returners as Addison Reese (48.48) just finished her freshman season.