Community Corner

APD Path Force Unit Precinct Opens on Atlanta BeltLine

"The APD Path Force Unit has done a spectacular job making sure users of the Atlanta BeltLine feel safe, and welcomed." - Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

Patch Staff Report

In partnership with the Atlanta BeltLine, the Atlanta Police Department’s Path Force Precinct was officially opened on Tuesday at the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing.

The new precinct is located on the ground floor of the affordable housing development created by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) in 2012. The precinct is the final tenant in the development, which includes 28 owner-occupied lofts purchased with down payment assistance from the Atlanta BeltLine affordable housing trust fund.

The Path Force Unit, which launched this past July and consists of 15 officers and three supervisors, is funded by a $1.8 million U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant received in 2012.

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“The APD Path Force Unit has done a spectacular job making sure users of the Atlanta BeltLine feel safe, and welcomed,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "The Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, a shining example of successful community revitalization that provides quality homes to working Atlantans, including police officers, firefighters and teachers, is the ideal home for the Path Force.”

The Path Force Unit patrols seven days a week along the three completed trails of the Atlanta BeltLine, the Eastside Trail, West End Trail and the Northside Trail, as well as the interim hiking trails and the nearly complete Southwest Connector Trail. It also patrols adjacent parks including Historic Fourth Ward Park, D.H. Stanton Park, Boulevard Crossing Park and Piedmont Park. The unit primarily conducts patrols on foot and by bicycle, and will soon have use of off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

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“There has been an immediate positive impact as a result of the Path Force’s presence on the BeltLine," said APD Police Chief George Turner. "The Path Force Unit is dedicated to ensuring citizen’s safety on the Atlanta BeltLine and the surrounding neighborhoods.”

“We are proud that the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, one of the Atlanta BeltLine’s great success stories, is playing an ongoing role in the revitalization of Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods,” said ABI President and CEO Paul Morris. “We are grateful for the great partners we have who helped bring the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing to life and keep the Atlanta BeltLine safe."

ABI acquired the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, a formerly distressed property located at 890 Memorial Drive, in support of its affordable housing program which seeks to make city living financially attainable for both renters and homeowners. In partnership with Invest Atlanta, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank and others, all 28 lofts were sold as part of the first-ever affordable housing drawing in the City of Atlanta’s history.

The Atlanta BeltLine affordable housing trust fund has committed funding to 259 owner-occupied and rental units to date.

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The Atlanta Police Department provided information for this story that was edited for publication.



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