AUGUSTA, Ga. - A protest in the Harrisburg community, Saturday afternoon, forced Richmond County Deputies to step in.

"We're making sure nothing escalates and it stays peaceful," Corporal Russell Schaffer from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said.

Several concerned members in the Harrisburg community protested rising crime, prostitution and drug deals by targeting three houses.

During one stop, a confrontation began between a protestor and some residents regarding how a noise complaint started.

When asked what he would say to the protestors, one of the residents of that house, Robert Williams said, “what I would want to say, I don’t want to say on the news.”

While protesting by an abandoned house, the protestors found a marijuana plant growing by the porch, which the Richmond County Sheriff's Office later removed.

The protestors say landlords have turned a blind eye to the rising crime in order to get a paycheck. They're protesting in hopes they'll make a change.

"That's our thing today, exposing these landlords,” protestor and resident, Lori Davis said.
Community member Andrena Meyers agreed there was a problem, but did not agree with the protestors’ tactics.

"I understand people want to help people stop drugs in the neighborhood, that's wonderful; but, to stop at different addresses and single out people, I don't think that's right,” Meyers said.

Meyers says she doesn't want this to be about race.

"Let’s get together, lets do it as a team and stop being so divided. It's about diversity and togetherness," Meyers said.

"This neighborhood is worth saving and sometimes you have to have a cause. We have a cause,” Davis said.

The protestors say they hope other Augusta communities like Olde Town will protest to stop similar problems happening there as well.

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