Savannah’s Dirty Secret

Savannah, Georgia – the city that’s supposed to be America’s fairytale destination – is struggling to keep its storybook streets clean. Business leaders and city officials are working to reclaim parts of the historic city from growing homelessness and public safety concerns.

It’s not exactly the romantic getaway you’d imagine. Homeless camps and drug dens are sprouting up in the city’s famous historic district, leaving residents, business owners, and tourists wondering what’s going on.

A Problem That Won’t Go Away

Bert Brantley, President and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, says the impact of homelessness is felt daily across the business community. “Our businesses, workers, and downtown residents expect our public safety system to identify those committing crimes and deliver consequences for those illegal activities,” he said.

City officials have passed an urban camping ordinance, making it unlawful to camp, store personal property in public spaces, or obstruct sidewalks or traffic. Since the law took effect, there have been 179 citations and 15 arrests. But it’s not just about enforcement – the city says 135 individuals have engaged with service providers, with roughly 30% entering shelters after contact with authorities.

Drugs: The Other Problem

But homelessness isn’t the only issue plaguing Savannah. The region is also dealing with evolving drug threats, including methamphetamine being transported in liquid form. “Drug smugglers are tough. They’re not going without a fight,” says DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Drew Mayer. “We’ve seen an increase in methods to hide and disguise the loads of drugs with cover loads, transporting some of the drugs in a liquid form and other creative manners to avoid detention.”