Hidden Traps Found At Intrenchment Creek Park Causes Closure

EAST ATLANTA, GA — Intrenchment Creek Park and its surroundings are closed until further notice due to life-threatening conditions near the park, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said Friday.

Thurmond issued an executive order, making it illegal to go into the park. Patch has obtained a copy of the order.

It shows Intrenchment Creek Park (2109 Bouldercrest Road) is closed along with Bouldercrest locations at 2055, 2156, 2142, 2058 and 2098.

Anyone who enters the park can be charged with criminal trespass, he said. It is illegal for anyone to deface signs or park in the area.

Intrenchment Creek is near the site of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center and the South River Forest Basin near Constitution and Key roads. The center has been the focal point of protests for several months, some of which have turned violent.

"We know there are dangers in these properties," Thurmond said at a Friday news conference.

He said authorities have found hidden traps and devices "designed to injure, maim or cause death" to people and pets. He said county employees have not been able to safely inspect the park.

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During the news conference, Thurmond displayed a photo of nails protruding out of a piece of wood. He said the items were provided to DeKalb County officials by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

"We take this action at this time because we are concerned," Thurmond said of the closure. "We recognize that our highest priority is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people who live, work and play in DeKalb County."

Thurmond said the area is not safe for protesters and the items that were found are threats to health and safety.

"Who would want someone beloved's dog or other animal to become ensnared in one of these traps," he said. "Who would want that? Who would want a child to become injured by one of these devices? No one. No matter how they feel. No matter what side of the aisle they're on. No matter whether they're for or against the police training center. I know that people of good will would not want that to occur."

Thurmond asked people to rise above any differences and protect each other. He said hidden traps can become death traps.

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Authorities have responded to the training center site multiple times, arresting protesters in December on domestic terrorism charges and returning in January during a joint task force clearing operation. The operation turned deadly when a Georgia State trooper was shot and the person accused of firing the gun was shot and killed by law enforcement. Body cam footage of the shooting's aftermath was released on Feb. 9 by the Atlanta Police Department. A subsequent protest in downtown Atlanta was held in the name of Manuel "Tortuguita" Teran, the person accused in the shooting. Teran's family has since sued the City of Atlanta, seeking records related to Teran's death. A violent protest in early March was held at the site of the future site of the training center, where 23 were arrested after being accused of throwing fireworks, Molotov cocktails and other items at authorities.

DeKalb County Police said in mid-January the department is increasing its visibility near Intrenchment Creek neighborhoods, including areas near Key, Fayetteville and Constitution roads.

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