Without a doubt, this is the biggest change that they've made since going to precincts and to UHF, but everything is a compromise. The old radio zones were separated by strong geographic barriers such as the James River, Shockoe Valley, and C&O RR. This gave suspects an opportunity to move from zone to zone while waiting for the kind of desk-to-desk red tape that you're describing. Remember also that first and third precincts always had a very porous border along Belvedere St.
I think it's interesting to note that the new precincts seem designed to avoid real-world geographic barriers--and remember that it's the precinct boundaries (not the sectors) that have real meaning for radio coverage. Most notably, officers from the first and third precincts are watching both sides of the river.
Note what we get in return for his somewhat-strange arragement of boundaries. Now that there are four dispatch channels, all are quieter and more available for officers in trouble. There are also less 'assignment to follow' calls, since some of those roving 'task forces' were redistributed.
If you talk to any of the officers, I'm sure they'll give you a million reasons why it stinks. But they are mostly upset because of all the off days and private security jobs they're losing by the return to 8-hour shifts. Having followed most of the traffic on fireandre.com, I'm already used to these kinds of complaints.
Besides, I'm hearing notifications when pursuits are engaged in neighboring precincts, and BOLs do get broadcast. If things get too troublesome, they could do BOL's & hotshot calls on an ATG. A nearby locality has used this trick to great effect in getting word out to its officers, while simultaneously confounding scanner listeners!
73/Allen (N4JRI)
