Ga. House unanimously approves overhauling citizen’s arrest law
$552M available through state Rental Assistance Program (GRA) to support landlords, tenants in bringing rent balances current
ATLANTA — Legislation to overhaul Georgia’s Civil War-era citizen’s arrest law inspired by the murder of Ahmaud Arbery last year passed the state House of Representatives unanimously on Monday, March 8.
House Bill 479, which now heads to the Georgia Senate, is a follow-up to the hatecrimes law the General Assembly passed last June in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis, at the hands of a white police officer.
Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was gunned down while jogging near Brunswick in February 2020 by two white men. The two, now facing murder charges along with a third white man, have claimed they were attempting to make a citizen’s arrest.
“Ahmaud’s death was not in vain because we’re going to bring change,” Rep. Bert Reeves, R-Marietta, the bill’s chief sponsor, said on the House floor before Monday’s (March 8) vote. “Every single one of us has an opportunity to take part in Ahmaud’s legacy.”
Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, the House’s longest serving member, said the citizen’s arrest legislation is the natural next step to the hate crimes law.
“Last year, Georgia removed a dark cloud from over the state,” he said. “Now, is the time for us to remove that cloud again.”
Reeves’ bill would do away with a state law in effect since 1863 that lets private citizens arrest someone who commits a crime in their presence or during an escape attempt. It still would permit off-duty police officers and business owners to detain suspects they believe to have committed a crime on their property.
The legislation would not affect Georgia’s self-defense and stand-your-ground laws, which require different legal standards for allowing people to use reasonable force to protect themselves.
“It’s an old bill that’s outdated. We have no need for it,” said Rep. Don Hogan, R-St. Simons Island, who represents the House district where Arbery’s murder occurred.
“This is the right thing to do,” he added. “It’s supported by the community in Glynn County.”
The bill has the backing of Gov. Brian Kemp and the legislative leaders of both parties.
“Our overhaul of the citizen’s arrest statute strikes a critical balance between protecting the lives and live
lihoods of our families, our friends, and our neighbors, and preventing rogue vigilantism from threatening
the security and God-given potential of all Georgians,” the governor said after Monday’s (March 8) vote.
The State of Georgia received $552 million from U.S. Treasury’s Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide relief to individuals, families and landlords whose finances have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will administer the State of Georgia Rental Assistance Program (GRA), and the online portal to determine eligibility and submit applications is now available.
“The State of Georgia is pleased to be able to provide this rental relief to those who have fallen behind in rent and utility bills due to the pandemic,” said Tonya Cureton Curry, DCA deputy commissioner of Housing. “We encourage renters and landlords to check the online portal immediately to determine if they are eligible. It’s our hope this assistance will help lessen the financial burdens many Georgian families and individuals are facing.”
GRA offers financial assistance to eligible tenants, their landlords and utility providers to cover activities including rent arrears, current and future rent payments, and utility arrears payments. Payment will be made directly to the landlords and utility providers.
Payments generally may not exceed 12 months, but some households may qualify for a total of 15 months under certain circumstances.
GRA can serve renter households in Georgia who meet the following conditions:
♦ Qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19
♦ Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
♦ Has a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with priority given to: 1) households below 50% of the AMI, or 2) households with one or more individuals who have been unemployed 90 days or longer at the time of application
The CDC eviction moratorium has been extended until March 31, meaning that no one should be evicted solely for non-payment of rent until that date. Visit GeorgiaLegalAid.org for more information.
To determine GRA eligibility and apply, visit GeorgiaRentalAssistance.ga.gov.
The Heritage High School track team has seen its share of athletes go on to compete in college over the years and that list grew by one more name this past Wednesday as senior Antwaun Powell signed on to compete at nearby Covenant College.
“It feels great,” Powell said of his signing day. “This has been a dream of mine since I was about 12 years old.”
Powell has gone from single-event competitor to a multi-event stalwart in the last four years, according to Heritage track coach David Gibson.
“Antwaun has done a phenomenal job of improving
every year,” Gibson explained. “The first thing he picked up was the triple jump and for a time he was
our only triple jumper. He really took that mantle and ran with it and he was able to compete and improve.”
Today, Powell is competing in four different events. Last Tuesday, in a threeteam meet at Gordon Lee, he ran the first leg of the Generals’ winning 4X100 relay team. He also finished second in the 100, the long jump and the triple jump.
Powell said he will be competing for the NCAA Division III Scots in both jumping and sprinting events.
“When I visited there the first time, the people there made it feel like family,” he said. “The campus is super nice and I also got to meet some of the professors.”
Powell said he felt he had a lot to offer the Covenant program.
“I’ve got a good attitude and I’m going to bring my talents with my speed and my jumping ability,” he stated. “I’ve also got a Christian heart and good faith.”
Gibson added that Powell has been an example of perseverance.
“He struggled a little as a freshman and sophomore, but he really looked promising going into last year,” he said. “Of course the season
was cut short because of the pandemic, but he dedicated himself to his sport in the offseason and (he) has just come out on fire to begin this year.
“He’s already set new personal records in each of his events this season and he’s on pace to really finish as an outstanding athlete with our track program.”
Powell said he is leaning toward history as a major.