ATLANTA — A Smyrna homeowner says her nightmare is finally over after she discovered a group of people had moved inside her home just days after she closed on it.
A crowd of neighbors gathered outside the home on Cliff Creek Court Thursday, as officers with the Smyrna Police Department brought multiple people out in handcuffs.
Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton, alongside Mayor Pro Tem and city council member Tim Gould, also showed up after they said neighbors alerted them to the situation.
“They were living in fear in a neighborhood that they lived in for 35 years and that’s not supposed to happen here," Norton said.
“We want our residents to feel safe in their neighborhoods and safe in their homes," Gould added.
Jennifer, the owner of the home, said she closed on the house on Oct. 5 and began gradually moving her stuff inside. She said she showed up on Oct. 11-- to find multiple people inside.
“My message to them is just to 'Get out and stay out'… My message to the community is... to 'Watch out.' If you’re buying any sort of home or have a vacant home, just know that this could happen and be ready to act fast," Jennifer explained.
The homeowner said Smyrna police were called out. According to the incident report, the people inside produced an alleged residential lease agreement for the home claiming that they had just purchased it. Jennifer said police told her that she would need to file an eviction to get them out.
The people inside were served on Wednesday. And on Thursday, some of them were met with handcuffs. It's still unclear if and what charges the squatters will face, as the Smryna Police Department said the investigation is ongoing.
Jennifer was able to tour the home shortly after the group of intruders were taken away. She said the house was filled with blow-up mattresses, trash, liquor and drugs.
She added she's grateful for the support of the community and city leaders; and as others have previously echoed, she believes laws need to be changed so that people can't do this to homeowners.
“I think there’s a few loopholes that give these people a little bit of time because I think that’s what they do is they do this for three or four months and then move on," Jennifer said.
Mayor Norton said he wants to make one thing clear going forward, "We're not open for business and we’re not dealing with things like this in Smyrna.”