Residents Plead With City To Clean Up Northridge Crossing

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SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Aileen Deaton has lived in her home on Northridge Crossing Drive since 1988.

Nearing the age of 76 and living on a fixed income, Deaton said she hopes to soon have a mortgage-free living in the the area.

"This is the only home I've ever owned," she said.

However, Deaton told the Sandy Springs City Council the "dreadful" conditions in her neighborhood are becoming too much to handle.

Deaton, along with fellow resident Karla Mione, said the area has become a haven for drugs and crime. Both women shared their experiences to city leaders and staff members.

The council, originally set to have a regular meeting on March 15, could only hold a work session due to the lack of quorum needed to take action on agenda items.

Council members Ken Dishman and Tibby DeJulio both had family emergencies and could not attend Tuesday's meeting. Graham McDonald vacated his seat on Friday when he qualified to run in the May 24 Republican primary to fill the State House District 52 seat.

Deaton, who occasionally had to fight back tears, told city leaders that if she could financially afford to leave the neighborhood, she would take the opportunity since the area has become a "prison" due to the decline and drop in property values.

Mione told Council members she moved from Chicago 10 years ago, and the problems she's witnessed on Northridge Crossing are far worst than what she saw in Illinois. She noted she's seen more drug deals and thefts in the area than in Chicago, and told the audience her home has been burglarized.

She also said she's informed the landlord of the homes of the persistent problems, but she alleges no action has been taken. It's an "unacceptable" condition of living when she can clearly see residents walking around with firearms in their pants in front of her 16-year-old child, Mione added.

District 1 Council member John Paulson, who represents the area, said the road sits just south of Northridge Road between Roswell and Colquitt roads. The area probably has between 30 to 40 townhomes, which are grouped into four units per building.

While some of the homes are "cute" and buildings are in nice shape, Paulson did say it's clear some of the structures have not been maintained.

Considering the area is less than a mile from Sandy Springs City Hall, Paulson told his counterparts that he promised Deaton the city will look into raising the standards and "bring(ing) it back to nice neighborhood that it was and I think it can be again."

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