The Cornelia Police Department is investigating reports that an individual from outside Habersham County is transporting homeless people into the area and relocating them onto private property without the consent of landowners.
According to a statement released by the department, they are actively looking into claims that an unknown person has been going out of the county, finding homeless individuals, and leaving them on land in Cornelia, causing health, safety, and legal concerns for both the unhoused individuals and property owners.
Suspect is male; woman delivering food to homeless
“There’s supposedly a male, whose race I’m not sure of, that is going out of county and bringing people in,” said Cornelia Police Chief Jonathan Roberts. “That could be a complete lie, it’s just the only information that we have.”
The department has also received reports that a woman or group of women may be delivering meals to the individuals being dropped off. Roberts emphasized that while many citizens mean well, their actions can lead to unintended consequences when done without coordination or permission.
“The fact that there could be someone intentionally bringing people into our county is troublesome,” he said.
Property owners unhappy
Cornelia Police have documented multiple complaints from residents, business owners, and property owners about the impacts of unauthorized encampments.
“Business owners are having to clean up trash from homeless campsites,” the Police Chief said. “They’re leaving feces, used feminine products, and uneaten food that’s attracting rodents. It’s just causing nastiness overall.”
According to Roberts, the properties where homeless people are dropped off are closer to Baldwin. He specified that the wooded property adjacent to Baldwin Road and Highway 441, the train bridge in Baldwin, and the property behind the Tidal Wave Car Wash in Cornelia are sites where homeless individuals have been left.
He also warned that these situations carry significant legal risks for property owners.
“Property owners can be held liable if someone is hurt. If property is damaged, the owners and their insurance are responsible for it,” he said.
According to Roberts, many of the same individuals are appearing at various unauthorized sites across the city.
“We deal with the same five or six people at different locations on a daily basis. When you talk to them about how they got here, they don’t really say anything. Some of them said somebody dropped them off, but we’re not getting a lot of useful information about how they ended up in Habersham County.”
He added that better outcomes could be achieved if those helping the homeless directed them to resources equipped to meet their needs.
How to help
The Cornelia Police Department is asking anyone with information about who may be responsible for transporting and abandoning homeless individuals in the city to contact the department at 706-778-4314. Anonymous calls may be made through the city’s tip line at 706-894-3077. Tips may also be submitted through the Cornelia city website or the department’s Facebook page.
“We appreciate the community’s compassion, but we ask that people not place individuals on private property or leave supplies without permission,” the department stated in its release. “These actions create serious safety, sanitation, and legal issues.”
As the investigation continues, city officials are urging residents to direct their charitable efforts through established organizations or contact the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for guidance on meaningful and lawful ways to assist.
