City of East Point and formerly crime ridden apartments to provide free housing for first responders

EAST POINT, Ga. — What once was considered one of East Point’s most dangerous apartment complexes has taken on a new life and a new identity thanks to a partnership between the community’s owners and the city.

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The Brookfield Apartments on Washington Road as recently as 2017 was riddled with crime. The company who owned the property at that time was facing a court order requiring them to provide extra security because of the constant police calls.

Resident Jamarkis Farmer told Channel 2 reporter Steve Gehlbach, he’d gotten use to seeing police cars in the complex working crime scenes. Farmer says new owners, better management and more security has made a huge difference.

“It actually at one point was the worst with crime,” Farmer said.

Friday, the complex and the city cut the ribbon on eight apartments that will be provided rent free for police officers and firefighters who live and work in East Point.

East Point Solicitor Earl Weems says things have come a long way.

“We’re excited. At no point in time had I ever considered having our police and fire live here because it was so dangerous. But now, as you see, it is a beautiful property,” Weems said.

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City Councilwoman Sharon Shropshire spearheaded the idea of the community partnering with the apartments and giving back while at the same time encouraging public safety officers to live in the place they work.

“This makes it even better because you’re giving them policing in the community and that’s what you want to do. Build up the community and make it safe,” Shropshire said. “It’s going to be a change, going to be a big change.”

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The first officers will move in at the beginning of the month and the city has already opened discussions with other East Point apartment complexes to offer the same incentives to help fight crime and change the community.

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