'This is a big change:' Well-known drug house turns into home for Atlanta police officers – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA – A drug house that was raided at least 11 times has been renovated and is now the home of an Atlanta police officer.

Mark Winne, Channel 2 investigative reporter looked back at some of the incidents that occurred at the Dill Avenue home.

In 2016, Winne interviewed Lt. Jeff Cantin as part of an investigation at 730 Dill Avenue. At the time, he led the Atlanta Police Department's narcotics unit, which investigated the home.

“[We] I executed 11 search warrants, bought drugs at this location and then someone was murdered at this location,” said Lt. Cantin back then.

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Now Major Cantin is the commander of the APD unit that oversees community outreach and housing, including the APD portion of the Atlanta Police Foundation's Secure Neighborhoods program, which places officers in homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Maj. Cantin says his frustration peaked when Vincent Sanders was murdered in the home just before the 11th search warrant was served.

According to prosecutors, Kevin Pate pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole.

Ultimately, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office ordered a judge to place a lien on the Dill Avenue home and take it away from the owner, according to a prosecutor.

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Maj. Cantin says the property was turned over to a real estate bank to hold for the Atlanta Police Foundation, which renovated it for an officer who would stay there for five years.

“Now no one calls the police on this place, there is a police force living right there,” said APD Deputy Chief Carven Tyus. “This was seen as a problematic location for this area. Now the neighbors see it like this: 'The officer lives here in our neighborhood.'”

According to the Atlanta Police Foundation, 35 APD officers live in homes in select neighborhoods around the city. According to the foundation's Tokisha Charles, the officers commit to staying there for five years and doing 10 hours of community service every month.

The foundation says it is looking for other properties and developers to work with.

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