Clayton News Daily

By Mehgaan Jones

mjones@news-daily.com

Clayton County Sheriff Kem Kimbrough has decided to hold off on evictions in Clayton County, until after the new year, to allow time for families to enjoy their holiday season.

"We do not schedule evictions during the holiday season because I believe that during this time, especially the Christmas season, it would be fair for people to have peace of mind, and remain in their homes," Kimbrough explained.

According to Deputy Alicia Parkes, Clayton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, in the spirit of the holiday season, the Sheriff's office will not schedule evictions, until January.

"Approximately 500 evictions were not scheduled [held off] during the December period," said Parkes.

She said the last eviction was conducted on Dec. 13.

Kimbrough said during Christmas and New Years, the Sheriff's Office asks for leniency from property owners, to hold off on evictions as well.

"We have approximately 150 evictions scheduled in January, [in] which the Sheriff's Office deputies assist with keeping the peace, while the third party eviction crew, or complainant, implements the actual eviction," the Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said.

Residents who were scheduled for eviction are "grateful to have extra time to find elsewhere to live, as well as be under a roof for the holidays," said Parkes.