ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta police have begun a long-promised
crackdown on panhandling, drug dealing, marijuana smoking and other
unsavory activity at a pedestrian plaza an official calls the
city's ``front doorstep.''
Officers posted fence-like barricades Wednesday around a dozen
concrete tree planters at Barbara M. Asher Square outside the
central Five Points MARTA station to discourage idlers. Police say
officers also will patrol the square more often.
Officials have been talking about cleaning up the square for
almost a year because it is off-putting to city visitors.
Councilman Kwanza Hall, who represents the downtown district,
said it is an embarrassing eyesore. Hall says, ``This is our front
doorstep to the world.''

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)