Enterprise leaders and metropolis officers in Savannah, Georgia — usually described as one in all America’s most picturesque locations, recognized for its Spanish moss-draped oaks, waterfront views and ornate ironwork — say they’re working to reclaim components of the historic metropolis from rising homelessness, encampments and public security considerations.
“Now we have seen the latest articles detailing a customer’s expertise in our metropolis and the seen challenges posed by homelessness, vagrancy, and associated public security considerations in our historic public squares and public areas,” a joint assertion offered to Fox Information Digital by the Metropolis of Savannah, the Savannah Chamber and the Savannah Tourism Management Council stated.
Whereas the teams pushed again on some protection as “designed to generate clicks by sensationalizing points,” they acknowledged the issues are actual and more and more seen to residents, enterprise house owners and vacationers.
Savannah Space Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bert Brantley stated the influence is felt every day throughout the enterprise neighborhood.
“Our companies, employees, and downtown residents count on our public security system to establish these committing crimes and ship penalties for these unlawful actions,” Brantley stated in November 2024.
Homelessness stays a prime concern for chamber members. Forward of Savannah-Chatham Day in February 2026, Brantley referred to as it “such an necessary difficulty,” whereas Mayor Van Johnson stated metropolis leaders are pursuing state-backed options to deal with ongoing challenges, in line with WJCL.
Metropolis officers have more and more turned to enforcement measures.
In June 2025, WJCL reported on town’s proposed city tenting ordinance, which metropolis officers stated would make it illegal to camp, retailer private property or get in the way in which of visitors.
Savannah handed an city tenting ordinance prohibiting tenting, storing private property in public areas and obstructing sidewalks or visitors.
“I don’t assume there’s a single particular person on this council that believes we must always criminalize homelessness,” Alderman Kurtis Purtee advised WJCL on the time. “However we’ve got to determine a option to begin working collectively as a neighborhood, whereas holding individuals accountable for his or her actions.”
Johnson described the ordinance as “one other instrument within the toolbox,” including that some people “recurrently engaged in prison exercise” require a distinct response.
For the reason that regulation took impact, town says enforcement has led to 179 citations and 15 arrests.
Officers additionally report that 135 people have engaged with service suppliers, with roughly 30% coming into shelters after contact with authorities.
Encampments within the historic district have been diminished by about half since 2023, in line with figures offered by town and associate organizations.
These figures weren’t independently verified by Fox Information Digital.
Past homelessness, authorities say the area can be contending with evolving drug threats.
A February 2026 News4Jax report on a DEA-led initiative, “Operation Fentanyl Free America,” highlighted shifting trafficking patterns in Southeast Georgia, together with methamphetamine being transported in liquid type earlier than conversion.
DEA Assistant Particular Agent in Cost Drew Mayer stated crystal meth stays “essentially the most prevalent drug” within the area by quantity.
“Drug smugglers are robust. They’re not going with out a struggle. We’ve seen a rise in strategies to cover and disguise the a great deal of medication with cowl hundreds, transporting a number of the medication in a liquid type and different inventive manners to keep away from detention,” Mayer advised News4Jax.
Whereas fentanyl-related mass overdoses have declined, the drug stays a priority, with officers noting the emergence of “purple fentanyl” in Savannah, Brunswick and alongside the Georgia-Florida hall.
Authorities say trafficking continues by the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick, with medication shifting by Atlanta and down the I-95 hall into Southeast Georgia and Florida.
