Atlanta passes ordinance to deter homeless from seeking shelter at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

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Lawmakers in Atlanta have passed an ordinance aimed at deterring homeless people from seeking shelter at the world’s busiest airport by restricting its public terminal access only to people flying or picking up travelers. 

The measure approved Monday by the Atlanta City Council comes after as many as 300 people recently were sleeping overnight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, according to Fox5 Atlanta. 

The previous policy in place restricted access to terminals from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., but the change to the city’s loitering ordinance for the airport now expands those restrictions to all hours of the day, the station reports. Airport officials told Fox5 Atlanta that passenger complaints of theft from baggage claim areas and unwanted harassment prompted the change. 

“Travelers, employees, visitors meeting or greeting passengers, or any others doing business at the Airport are welcome. This legislation aims to clarify who is authorized to enter the Airport and enhance our safety and security protocols to maintain a secure environment for all,” the airport said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

FLASHBACK: ATLANTA OFFICIALS PLAN TO RESTRICT AIRPORT ACCESS OVER COMPLAINTS OF BAGGAGE THIEVES, UNAUTHORIZED DRIVERS 

Up to 300 people recently were sleeping overnight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, according to Fox5 Atlanta. (Fox5 Atlanta)

The homeless population at the airport has seen declines after officials there and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority worked together to help people find alternative accommodations, Fox5 Atlanta reports. 

The baggage claim area at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta on Dec. 22, 2023. Lawmakers in Atlanta have now expanded an ordinance restricting who can access the airport’s terminals. ( Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

ATLANTA BANS RIGHT TURNS ON RED AT SOME INTERSECTIONS, OFFICIALS SAY MOVE WILL FOSTER ‘SENSE OF COMMUNITY’ 

More than 100 million passengers traveled through the airport last year, according to The Associated Press.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, shown here in December 2023, is the busiest in the world. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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It is unclear what penalties people could face for violating the ordinance. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.