ATLANTA — A new trespassing ordinance at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is seeing "steady success," according to city leaders.
A spokesperson for the Atlanta Police Department said there have been fewer complaints of solicitors in the rideshare area, fewer bag thefts reported and fewer reports of unsheltered in the public areas of the airport.
Plus, more airport atrium employees are staying in their jobs, according to Atlanta City Councilman Michael J. Bond.
"One of the biggest complaints from the vendors is that all of the negative activity, regardless of what it was, was affecting those who work in the atrium," Bond told 11Alive. "Now they're seeing a higher level of retention."
The ordinance, which took effect in April, closed the airport to the non-traveling general public.
Those considered to be in violation of the ordinance are given a warning and offers of assistance, according to APD. If individuals are caught stealing baggage, shoplifting, or stealing vehicles they are immediately arrested and charged appropriately.
"We're making a first impression for some people, not just of Atlanta but of the United States of America," Bond said. So, Hartsfield-Jackson has to be top-notch at every level."
In roughly the first three months of enforcement, APD arrested 36 people and issued warnings to 77.
"They would not be in the airport if they had better options, right?" he said. "You want to make sure that people know that whatever the behavior was that got the citation is not acceptable. But at the same time, we recognize the human condition of this person. So we have a 24-hour service provider there to help and to offer services."
An airport task force, which was intended to be temporary, made the initial recommendation for the new ordinance. After seeing such promising results, however, Bond hopes it could become permanent.
"They want to see it continue on, and so we'll be introducing legislation within the next 30 to 45 days to make that happen," he said. "They're going to be providing some recommendations in the coming months, and they're so excited about the work that they've been doing."