Police Chief: Zone 5 to be Policed with 'Same Vigor'

In the wake of the recent news surrounding and the , Atlanta Police Chief George Turner released the following statement on the department's website:

A great deal has been written and said recently concerning changes supposedly being considered for police resources in Zone 5’s Midtown precinct. It is vital that stakeholders in Midtown – business and residential –  are receiving accurate information on the Atlanta Police Department’s plans to ensure the highest levels of safety and security are maintained.

The department is discussing ideas so that mobile patrols (officers in cars) adequately cover Zone 5, ensuring our ability to quickly respond to 911 calls at all times. However, there are no plans by the Atlanta Police Department to do away with officer patrols on foot, bicycle, motorcycle and Segway. Those important, ground-level patrols will continue.

Mayor Reed’s commitment to continue increasing the size of the department, coupled with the assignment on Wednesday of several new officers from the most recent police recruit class will allow the department to make both of those priorities possible. Zone 5 will continue to be policed with the same vigor and professionalism that it always has. Its vibrant, diverse mix of businesses and residents is far too important to the city’s  overall well-being to allow any setbacks in public safety. It simply will not happen.

I will soon appoint a new commander for the zone who will be able, articulate, energetic and accountable to me and to the citizens whom he or she will serve.