MACON, Ga. — Homelessness is still an issue some downtown businesses say is persistent.

Hazim Awawdeh, manager at JJ's Fish & Chicken, says it's an issue he's been dealing with since the restaurant opened four years ago. He spoke to us in August, after Macon-Bibb Code Enforcement cleared a homeless encampment on Riverside Drive at the site of Mercer's future medical school .

"This area is pretty known for having homeless people. Like, even on the reviews online for our store, you'll see like two or three reviews about the homeless population here," Awawdeh said.

Although Awawdeh says the clearance helped, he says the issues continue.

"They'll be asking for money when if you try to give them food. I'll tell them 'I'll give you food. I can't give you money though', they'll be like 'N

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