Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18; Flight Crew Total 7800; Flight Crew Type 400
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Human Factors; Procedure; Airspace Structure
We were following a stolen car that was being chased by Sheriff and State Patrol.  We were using our standard ATC squawk and were cleared by Atlanta into the B airspace and to continue North as required up the west side of highway 285.  Things were happening very fast and fluid due to the stolen car pursuit and there was quite a bit of chatter on all radios.  We had FTY in standby in our radio in case ATL decided to hand us off to them.  We didn't receive a hand off and believed it to be due to the late hour and light traffic.  After the car was detained; we turned back to the south and called ATL to get cleared to cross back to the south of the airport when they informed us to give FTY tower a call.  FTY reminded us to call them when coming through that area east of them.  When I returned from the flight with no incident; I called FTY tower on a land line to make sure I was clear on proper procedure for this instance and thank them for their attention.  FTY tower informed me I should have been handed off or that ATL should have shared our situation with them in this instance.  Both towers were very professional and this was just a breakdown in communication.  ATL is always top notch and a pleasure to work with on a regular basis.
Pilot reports of being told to call the Tower after he has entered their airspace.  Pilot was utilizing flight following and the other control Tower did not hand off the aircraft to the adjacent Tower.