Drug Activity In Piedmont Park Area
Area residents have noticed a surge in drug activity in areas near Piedmont Park, and our observations confirm this trend. Despite the fact that the park is closed from 11pm to 6am, we are still seeing a fair amount of cruising for sex in that area. The cruising for sex traffic has become too conspicuous in recent weeks. Nuisance activity has also been noted in alleyways in the area. And now it has escalated into something more serious that confirms the broken windows theory – blatant drug transactions are taking place in cars parked along 10th Street and along Charles Allen Drive in front of Grady High School. Sometimes the transactions are taking place at or inside the vehicles, and other times the buyer and dealer meet just inside the park.
We have forwarded our information to APD, and they are now making nightly sweeps through the park to arrest criminals violating the curfew. APD has also conducted road blocks at 10th & Charles Allen during overnight hours. These sweeps and subsequent arrests, coupled with enforcement along the streets, will likely result in a decrease in drug traffic and other criminal activity in areas around the park.
Residents in the area should continue to report suspicious people loitering around and sitting in cars especially during overnight hours when the park is closed and there is no legitimate reason to be hanging around the area. These types are invariably up to no good, and the situation can easily become dangerous if criminals are allowed to afflict our neighborhood without challenge. While overnight hours are the most problematic, please also report drug and public sex activity to 911 any hour of the day. We will gladly accept video footage and photographs of this activity to share with the neighborhood…
