Days after DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond closed a park near the location of a planned public safety training center, officers from multiple jurisdictions teamed up to clear the site.
Thurmond on Friday issued an executive order closing Intrenchment Creek Park due to “dangerous and possible life-threatening conditions,” saying the GBI had found weapons including boards with nails protruding from them.
“We take this very serious action because we know there are dangers that have been discovered in this area and we are afraid that there might be other hidden traps that will not only injure and maim but could literally become deadly for children, pets and others,” Thurmond said.
The executive order closes and restricts access to the park and other county owned properties, totaling approximately 140 acres, until further notice.
On Friday, Thurmond would not comment on whether law enforcement would be present at the site or how the executive order would be enforced. He also said he didn’t expect legal challenges to the order.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
The Monday clearing operation was led by the DeKalb County Police Department, as part of a “process designed to reopen” the park, the county said. Officers from the GBI, Atlanta Police, Sandy Springs Police, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Brookhaven Police, Dunwoody Police, Johns Creek Police, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol joined the effort.
“Our goal is to clear the area of citizens who may be in there unlawfully, give them their options and hopefully gain voluntary compliance from them exiting the park,” DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos said Monday.
Unauthorized people who entered the closed area could be charged with criminal trespassing and unauthorized vehicles will be towed and impounded, according to the executive order.
Ramos said people could take their possessions and leave, or risk being arrested. Force could be used “if and when it is necessary,” she said. Officers encountered five people, three who left voluntarily and two who were arrested and one vehicle was towed, according to the county.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
DeKalb County District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry expressed concern over the state patrol’s involvement as troopers don’t wear body cameras. Activist Manuel Paez Teran was shot and killed during a Jan. 18 encounter with troopers. Authorities say Teran shot first and was killed by return fire; fellow activists have questioned that account.
“Body cameras are a No. 1 requirement for law enforcement,” Terry said. “Every law enforcement agency that is participating in this wear body cameras, except the state patrol. We have to be very cognizant of putting ourselves at risk, coordinating with state law enforcement agencies.”
Terry added he is still gathering information about Thurmond’s executive order and is concerned about making sure peaceful protestors still have a place to exercise their free speech.
Atlanta’s planned public safety training center has drawn protesters from across the country. Protests have at times turned violent, with some throwing rocks, fireworks and Molotov cocktails at police officers.
Ramos said it is unclear how long officers will be in the area but said there would be some road closures and limited access as barricades are set up.
“It will go as long as needed, hopefully not more than a couple of days,” she said. “Our goal is to inform the public, gain voluntary compliance, make sure the signs are up and make sure the barriers are up.”
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