The Atlanta Beltline now has its own 15-member police unit.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Police Chief George Turner say the officers will be assigned to patrol the collection of biking and pedestrian trails that make up the Beltline.

The unit is being funded with a $1.8 million federal grant.

The unit is being rolled out a year early because use of the Beltline's trails has spiked. Reed says the Beltline will be safe and doesn't think recent crimes in the area are out of control.

The Beltline is a $2.8 billion plan to transform a 22-mile railroad corridor that encircles Atlanta into a network of trails, parks, affordable homes and ultimately streetcar lines.

Tags: Kasim Reed, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, atlanta police department, Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta Police, Atlanta BeltLine project