Atlanta Police Zone Changes Effective Today

After months of study, presentations and public input, the Atlanta Police Departmet instituted its new boundaries for the six geographic zones that cover the city.

The changes were prompted by a .

In addition, the department reconfigured the beats within each zone and created 12 new beats for a total of 78.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the only difference our constituents notice is an improvement in service,” Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said in a statement.

“Some officers were stretched too thin, and we believe this redesign will provide relief to those officers. Meanwhile, the addition of new beats will assist greatly in ensuring adequate response to 911 calls.”

Here's how the changes affect the neighborhoods that comprise East Atlanta Patch:

• Zone 3: Gets the Thomasville neighborhood (from Zone 6) but loses Grant Park.
• Zone 5: Loses Old Fourth Ward.
• Zone 6: Gets Grant Park (from Zone 3) and Old Fourth Ward (from Zone 5).

For Grant Park, the changes means the Zone 3 precinct on Cherokee Ave. will have to move, but APD doesn't plan to do that right now.

Zone 6 is in Kirkwood, about 3.7 miles away, or a 7- to 9-minute drive from Grant Park.

"There are no immediate plans to close or move the Zone 3 precinct," APD spokesman Carlos Campos told East Atlanta Patch. "However, due to the beat redesign, the precinct is now in Zone 6, so it will need to move eventually so that it is located within Zone 3."

APD does not have a timetable for the changeover.

"We do not expect a reduction in service for Grant Park residents," Campos said.