WEST END ATLANTA

Hi all,
About two weeks ago, a group of people moved into a rental house at 1152 Eggleston Street. It was clear right away that they weren't related and a few neighbors called Vonda about it possibly being a rooming house. Vonda contacted code enforcement who visited a few times but has failed to cite them. A few more neighbors went over there, including our own code enforcement committee head Arvis (spelling correct?)to talk to them. It is a group of homeless veterans with mental health and substance abuse problems that were put there by a new (founded in 2008) "nonprofit" Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia (www.veteransempowerment.org). When I talked to the man, Franz Fortune who runs the operation, he told me that the men need an address to collect veterans benefits and that they can't do that if homeless. He also said their various mental and substance abuse problems made them like "sheep".
For the past two weeks there have been minor disturbances at the house, people yelling on the porch either late at night or predawn, people walking up and down the street lost looking and many random people going in and out of the house and we have tried to convince them that this was not the place for them, to no avail.
Friday, October 9 at about 4:30 in the afternoon, I heard a man screaming outside. I went out to check, as did a few other neightbors. One of the 1152 residents was on the curb, screaming and weeping that another man inside the house had attacked him with a saw and that he was scared and he needed us to call the police. He was bleeding. I did and three police cars and an ambulance showed up. The culprit? The alcoholic housefather that was in charge of the men. He was arrested. I spoke with VEO again and pointed out that despite their assurances that there wouldn't be any problems they was indeed a very large problem. They don't plan on moving.
We need support!!! A phone call to Franz Fortune (678-663-9349) and Darnell Cross (678-499-5689) letting them know that saw this mess doesn't work in West End would be much appreciated. Be aware: both men will try to glorify their mission and make you seem like you are a baaaaaaad person for not wanting to "help" veterans. I told them that I love dogs but I don't want an animal shelter next door and I like kids but I don't want to live next to a day care center (especially if the dogs or kids are swinging saws!!!)
Thanks!!!
Susan 1151 Eggleston