MACON, Ga. — Hazim Awawdeh, a manager at JJ's Fish and Chicken, has a direct view of the lot on Riverside Drive from the restaurants front door.

Last week, the lot was cleared by Bibb County Code enforcement , after it had become a homeless encampment . He described the encampment as a persistent problem that required daily attention.

"Every morning they'll throw trash on the floor, so we'll have to clean it up and then for the next day to just come and do it again," Awawdeh said. "Not only like messing up outside, they'll come in and bother customers or mess with us."

Despite the challenges, Awawdeh says his restaurant would provide food for encampment residents. He says their plight makes him sad, but he still needs to prioritize his business.

"We try to help out as much as we

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