‘Not the cause of this violence.’ Macon apartments respond to county’s lawsuit
A Macon apartment complex accused by the county government of being a public nuisance requested the complaint be dismissed, according to court records.
Macon-Bibb County filed a suit against Autumn Trace Apartments at 1745 Rocky Creed Rd. on Feb. 16 to address a rise in violent crime at the complex.
In a response filed March 20, Autumn Trace offered to “work with (the county) to lessen the effects of random third-party violence in its community,” the lawsuit said. However, it denies being a public nuisance.
The county previously claimed that Autumn Trace had “substantial gang and drug activity regularly conducted there.” . The apartment complex had frequent shootings and violent crimes over the last two years that “have increased in frequency and severity,” the county said.
“Despite the allegations contained in this lawsuit, Autumn Trace is not the cause of this violence,” the community’s response said. “In the first two months of 2026, Macon-Bibb County reported twelve homicides. The incidents that occur on or near Autumn Trace appear to be gang-related and caused by factors outside of the apartment community itself.
“These trespassers do not reside at Autumn Trace but rather plague it and the surrounding community.”
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County’s claims and apartment’s response
The county included examples of incidents that have taken place at the apartment complex since Jan. 22, 2024, with most incidents relating to shootings, gunfights and suspicious people walking through the apartment complex armed. A Jan. 29 shooting there left a pregnant woman with injuries to her arm and torso, according to the lawsuit.
Autumn Trace provides low-income housing for residents under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Project-Based Voucher program. Despite residents’ attempts to escape the conditions in the apartment complex, there aren’t any other alternatives, according to the lawsuit.
“The lives of Autumn Trace’s residents remain at the mercy of the Defendants to this action, and depend on their ability to take reasonable and adequate measures to abate the Nuisance Conditions thereon and render Autumn Trace reasonably safe,” the lawsuit said.
Autumn Trace denied all of the allegations that the county brought against the apartment complex. The complex has “invested over one million dollars in the community, including over $100,000 for security in 2016 to date,” according to the suit.
The apartment complex further claimed there are “numerous other HUD-issued PBV properties in Macon-Bibb County” where residents can apply to, the lawsuit said.
The county requested that security cameras be installed, but the apartment complex claimed in the suit that security cameras were installed in 2019. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office was “provided full remote viewing access on Jan. 29, 2025,” and nine additional cameras and license plate readers also were installed, the lawsuit said.
Autumn Trace is working alongside a third-party company to provide adequate lighting for security cameras. The complex “maintains regular inspections and maintenance protocols of the same,” the lawsuit said.
There are plans for a gated entryway at the apartment complex, as the county previously requested, the lawsuit said. However, because there is a bus stop, fences “are likely not permitted under applicable code,” according to the lawsuit. However, installation of perimeter fencing will begin within the week.
Speed bumps are being enhanced to slow down traffic. Further, Autumn Trace has hired consultants to enforce leases, provide residents with a direct point of contact, and provide other services that the county requested in the suit.
However, the apartment complex is unaware of “problem tenants,” the lawsuit said.
Autumn Trace attempted to hire local, off-duty law enforcement officers, but was unsuccessful, according to the lawsuit. To fulfill the requirements, the apartment complex contracted a third-party security company .
The apartment complex also enacted a 10 p.m. curfew, the lawsuit said.
What’s next?
If Macon-Bibb County is satisfied with the security measures implemented by Autumn Trace, an agreement can be reached and approved by a judge. If not, a hearing will be held to determine the next steps of the case.
No court hearing has been scheduled as of Monday.
